Embracing Connection: A Journey with “To Know One Another” at the Queens Museum

Finding Humanity in Art and Connection

In a world fraught with conflict and suffering, the longing for genuine connection and understanding is palpable. Many of us feel the weight of a fragmented community, yearning for relationships that are authentic and rooted in shared values. I see you in this struggle, and I invite you to find solace and connection in my latest exhibition at the Queens Museum, “Close to Home.”

this act of hospitality is more than a simple offering. It serves as a bridge to foster understanding, connection, and appreciation among people from various walks of life

Nsenga Knight

The Heart of the Exhibition: “To Know One Another”

At the core of “Close to Home” is my new social practice artwork titled “To Know One Another.” Every Friday, I host gatherings in the gallery space, serving tea with fresh mint to guests. This practice, inspired by a verse in the Quran, underscores the importance of getting to know one another across our diverse races, religions, nations and tribes.

Informed by my experiences during six years living in Cairo, Egypt, this act of hospitality is more than a simple offering. It serves as a bridge to foster understanding, connection, and appreciation among people from various walks of life. It’s a space for you to feel seen and understood, reflecting my values of connection and the possibility for spiritual upliftment through art.

The Pain of Our Times: Genocide and Activism

In recent times, the genocide in Palestine has been a heart-wrenching reality that many of us cannot ignore. This crisis, along with the shadow of the pandemic and other global injustices, has deepened our collective sense of loss and heartbreak. Activism for Palestinian liberation has been a powerful yet draining endeavor for many, including a fellow artist friend of mine, who balances illness, activism, and her creative work.

amidst this turmoil, our hearts continue to beat—a sign of our resilience and our connection to truth and love.

nsenga knight

Our hearts ache with the blatant injustices supported by our government with America’s unwavering support for Israel – even as it commits the most horrendous crimes against humanity with our American tax dollars, and the crumbling of democratic leadership that should uphold justice and the sanctity of human life. Yet, amidst this turmoil, our hearts continue to beat—a sign of our resilience and our connection to truth and love. I believe in our Fitra – the pure nature that Allah created us all with. I can only gather with strangers because I believe in this essential goodness of humanity. I believe that right now especially, we have to uphold this and celebrate the beauty that is still present in others.

Your Experience and Engagement Matter

Your heartache is not just a sign of pain but a testament to your capacity for love and truth. It reflects your resilience and commitment to a world where justice and humanity prevail. This exhibition, and the gatherings within it, are my way of holding space for you—for your feelings, your struggles, and your need for a moment of reprieve and reconnection.

My artwork is only a mirror that reflects your complexity and beauty.

nsenga knight

Reflecting Identity and Representation

In “Close to Home,” you will find artwork that mirrors your identity and experiences, offering representation where mainstream narratives often fall short. My art celebrates the intersectionality of being a Black Muslim woman, a daughter of immigrants, a creative, and so much more. So many people have told me that they had never felt so seen in an art exhibition – especially Black women and Muslim women of different backgrounds. To this I say that my artwork is only a mirror that reflects your complexity and beauty. I’m honored that it is providing a sense of validation and empowerment for you.

Creating Authentic Connections

The tea gatherings in “To Know One Another” create a space for authentic engagement. Through the simple act of sharing a cup of tea with strangers you might be surprised that art makes it possible to connect with others on a deeper level, free from superficial or transactional interactions. My intention for Close to Home is to provide you with a space where you can simply be: relax and reflect on the art and ideas in my exhibition, share your stories, and listen to the stories of others. Or simply sip tea on a Friday with me. These moments of connection are invaluable, especially when genuine relationships can feel so rare.

My hope is that engaging with my artwork offers you personal and spiritual enrichment, supporting your journey of growth and self-discovery.

Nsenga Knight

Challenging Stereotypes and Misconceptions

Through my art, I invite audiences to challenge traditional boundaries and misconceptions of race, nationhood, and religion in order to create wholly new constructions that broaden our collective imaginations. My aim is to promote a deeper understanding. My hope is that engaging with my artwork offers you personal and spiritual enrichment, supporting your journey of growth and self-discovery. Does this align with your efforts to advocate for your community and foster inclusivity?

Opportunities for Collaboration and Impact

My Close to Home exhibition provides opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, sparking collaborations that make meaningful change even on a personal level. For instance, at last week’s tea gathering, I met a young African American man interested in librarianship and connected him to my spouse, who works in this profession.

Through dialogue, we make sense of the world we are in, and our collective presence can inspire and uplift others.

Nsenga knight

In the first To Know One Another gathering, a young woman whose mother is from Somalia chatted with one of the Queens Museum Experience Ambassadors, whose family is from Jamaica. This conversation helped her understand the significance of East Africa in the religious life of the Caribbean, specifically the emergence of Rastafarianism in Jamaica. Through my work as an artist creating social practice work and my exhibition Close to Home, I seek to create a space where your voice can be heard. Through dialogue, we make sense of the world we are in, and our collective presence can inspire and uplift others.

I appreciate you seeing me and valuing the art I create as an artist who values deep connection – to history, to heart, and to humanity. Let’s hold space for each other, recognizing the beauty and strength in our shared humanity. Join me at the Queens Museum, share a cup of tea, and let’s get to know one another.

I invite you to share your experiences and reflections with me by emailing studio@nsengaknight.com . Your stories and insights are valuable, and I look forward to connecting with you.