We’ve been hearing, seeing, and reading about the unrelenting Israeli attacks on Gaza since October that resulted in the loss of about 18,000 Palestinian lives. It is a horrifying present with little to no time between attacks to digest the news or even for Gazans to bury their dead. As I stand in solidarity with theContinue reading “THE COST OF FREEDOM”
Author Archives: nsengaknight
Live from PALESTINE
I don’t think I had ever witnessed a Black woman reporting international news from abroad on a major TV network until just a few weeks ago when I saw Nima Elbagir – a Black woman fluent in Arabic, in Jerusalem covering the release of a number of Palestinian people from Israeli prisons as part ofContinue reading “Live from PALESTINE “
Still Alive, Alhamdullilah
Was there ever a period of your life where your first thought upon waking up was “I’m still alive, alhamdullilah.”? That’s how Bisan Wizard, a Palestinian activist, filmmaker, and content creator, starts her messages on her Instagram broadcasting channel where she shares updates about herself and her community in real time as they face Israeli attacks, genocideContinue reading “Still Alive, Alhamdullilah”
One Body.
One of my personal highest values is connection. It’s a running thread in all of my artistic projects, and it’s what motivates me to create art in the first place; to move from inspiration to action. Art is my way of connecting to my higher self, and aligning my mind, body, and spirit with the world.Continue reading “One Body.”
For Freedom… Happy Juneteenth!
Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on what “freedom” is and how each of us can attain it. When the Emancipation Proclamation was read to enslaved Black people, they were told that if they were to stay on the plantation of their former master, their master would have to pay them. This began the practice ofContinue reading “For Freedom… Happy Juneteenth!”
Happy Birthday Malcolm X: A Black Muslim Artist Reflects
On this 98th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birthday I’d like to share with you this speech by Dr. Angela Davis about Malcolm X as an international figure, as well as a my personal reflections on his life and legacy. Malcolm X has always spoken for me. I grew up attending the Brooklyn mosque Malcolm XContinue reading “Happy Birthday Malcolm X: A Black Muslim Artist Reflects”
Ramadan Mubarak from Nsenga Knight’s Studio!
Ramadan Mubarak! For weeks I’ve been looking forward to fasting and reflecting more deeply this Ramadan, and here we are. We need a Ramadan! I recently watched a news report that stated that right now, about 2 Billion people on this planet are detaching from food and drink from sunrise to sunset to observe theContinue reading “Ramadan Mubarak from Nsenga Knight’s Studio!”
Art In An Open Field
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, There is a field. I’ll meet you there..” -Rumi I was recently talking to a friend who is also an artist and in our conversation, she said that she thinks I have a more expansive view about art than she does. Later, in a conversation with my sister, she gaveContinue reading “Art In An Open Field”
Art Can Hold This
I grew up in a predominately Black American mosque community in Brooklyn, NY – which I later learned was really more specifically a predominately Black Caribbean American mosque community in Brooklyn (it’s been that way since the 1960’s) and I was raised by parents who encouraged me to do whatever I wanted so long asContinue reading “Art Can Hold This”
Fitra painting series launch, my Queens Museum studio, and finding the Aida Opera – a Cairo original in the Archives
Last week was the launch of the Fitra: Amber watercolor series on Artfare’s website. The Instagram takeover went brilliantly and I’m so grateful for the love and support I was shown throughout it. I went live to share more about the series with my community and you can still watch the videos on my FacebookContinue reading “Fitra painting series launch, my Queens Museum studio, and finding the Aida Opera – a Cairo original in the Archives”