Art exhibition at King Manor Museum tells stories of Queens community
Artists whose works are on display at the ‘Made in Queens’ exhibition, unveiled on May 15 by the South Queens Women’s March (SQWM), at the King Manor Museum, received citations from the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio in recognition of their contributions to New York City’s cultural and arts landscape.
They are Veli V, Kerry Cox, Amy Simon, Seema Shakti, Amelia Inderjeit, Farhana Akther, Movina Seepersaud, Kim David, Juliet James, Angela Miskis, Maria Liebana, Shristi Sookram, Sherese Francis and Giancarlo Vargas.
The exhibition will run through Sept. 15.
Aminta Kilawan-Narine, founder and director of South Queens Women’s March, during the reception told patrons, “Today we unveil an exhibit that centers on who we are as an intersectional movement and amplifying our mantra: Our voice is our power and doing that solidarity work that paves the way for true collective liberation.”
This first exhibition is sponsored by the Nest Restaurant and Bar, Mr. Wonton Queens, High Profile Sounds and Events and Renee K Production, and according to Narine, Rufus King likely could never have imagined the walls of his home adorned in this way.
“The arts have a way to transcend language and identities; to function as a healing balm for our aches, pains and struggles. What you will see in King Manor Museum is emblematic of our voice being our power; these pieces literally live out loud and they tell the story of our beautiful borough in a way never before done. And that is specifically because of the artists who answered our call and believed in our cause,” she said.
“Art has the ability to heal, provoke, tell stories and build communities. Through the selection and design process, I was constantly thinking about art accessibility and community representation. This is an exhibit I wanted to see growing up in Queens and one I‘ve always wanted to participate in.”
“I’m ecstatic that we were able to offer local artists this beautiful platform to share their talent and their stories with the Queens community. We hope to make Queens proud,” said Fatima Shabbir, South Queens Women’s March board member and curator of the exhibit.
Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, representatives of Council Member Adrienne Adams, community-based leaders and organizations, and South Queens Women’s March supporters and members attended the celebration of art.
Members of the public must book a reservation for a tour of the exhibit through the King Manor Museum website at https://www.kingmanor.org/reservations.
