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”
Tag Archives: Black Artists
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”
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”
From Margin to Center: Omar Ibn Said, A Short Biography
Black Muslims like Omar Ibn Said form a bridge to understanding Africa, Islam and important aspects of Black and American history which have been ignored for too long.
The Timbuktu African Manuscripts, Omar Ibn Said and Ibrahim Sori: An Islamic, Black Muslim and Black American Intellectual Continuum
I share why the Timbuktu manuscripts and the writings of African Muslims who were enslaved in America – like Omar Said and Ibrahim Sori are important to my artistic practice, and why they are an important opportunity for all of us to learn more about ourselves (especially Black people and Muslims) from those who came before us.
A Deeper Connection to Cairo
When I first moved to Cairo, I admittedly felt a little lost. I didn’t understand the language, I felt like I looked so different from most the people who I passed by from day to day, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around how I might continue to grow as an artistContinue reading “A Deeper Connection to Cairo”
Hajj Inspired Art Pt4: Abandonment
“Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa’y. It resolves the contradictions that have confused mankind throughout history” -Ali Shariati When we celebrate and think about the Eid, and why we are celebrating, and the Hajj and what it is, I’m always going to bring up Hajjar, inshaAllah. Alot of people avoid talking about her story because itContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt4: Abandonment”
Hajj Inspired Art Pt2: She Ran!
We Run because Hajjar Ran. Even though you and I are not physically on hajj right now, we can still connect to the spirit of the the hajj. Indeed, the hajj is both a physical and a spiritual experience. My Tawaf/ Sa’y series is inspired by the pilgrimage footsteps of exemplars – Malcolm X, Ali Shariati, and of courseContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt2: She Ran!”
Nsenga Knight Open Studios Day 1 | Fitra: Amber
Starting from inspiration, I’m creating my new Fitra series which is inspired by The Book of Sufi Healing. Here’s a recap of Day 1 of my virtual Open Studios.
Sayyida Nafisa’s Khalwa: A Conversation on Muslim Women and Sacred Spaces
A conversation between Nsenga Knight and her sister Nuriddeen Knight about their visit to the khalwa (place of voluntary seclusion) of 9th century female Islamic scholar Sayida Nafisa in Cairo, Egypt.