Intersections (2014) - Anila Quayyum Agha, a native of Pakistan became the first foreign born
winner of Art-Prize, founded by Rick DeVos. She won the prize for the
installation "Intersections". This is the first installation to win
ArtPrize's popular grand prize as well!
The winning entry took 15 months to realize and was inspired by the
Islamic flavored designs of the Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain, built in the
9th century as a castle fortress, the palace, fell in to ruin before being
restored and reconstructed from the 11th -15th centuries by the last Muslim
rulers in Spain. The intricate designs also emerged from her reflection on how
women were excluded from the inspirational space of the mosque during her
childhood in Lahore. A place filled with creativity and community. Instead, she
prayed at home. Agha hoped to share its beauty with the rest of the world!
Agha, whose entry was displayed at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, is the
sixth winner of the world's largest art prize for her 6.5-foot cube, which
is illuminated from the inside. This projects its shadows on the surrounding
walls as well as its viewers. She translated her feelings in to the
installation, by creating a space of her own making which was open to all.
She used simple features to create a dramatic effect; a single bright
light suspended from the ceiling shines through an intricately laser cut box
made from wood and painted back.
Each side of the cube is the same, repeating symmetrical patterns Agha
designed by combining elements she saw in Granada. The geometric shapes and
lines become the shadows that cover the gallery walls, floor, ceiling and even
the visitors. Through this structure, the boundaries and separations are
removed, our movements change the nature of the patterns as we walk freely
through the silhouette.
Anila Quayyum Agha, received her BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore and an MFA from the University of North Texas. Her work has been collected by both institutions and private collectors, nationally and internationally.