muslim artist Archives - Nsenga Knight

The Timbuktu African Manuscripts, Omar Said and Ibrahim Sori: An Islamic, Black Muslim and Black American Intellectual Continuum

Timbuktu Manuscript with drawings and text

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

Projection of Malcom X on wall, artist Nsenga Knight and Translator Samah Gafar in from of audience of Cairenes at the COntemporary Image Collective in Cairo Egypt. Nsenga Knight performs her X Speaks performance art and social practice work

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!

text painting with white circular text in foreground and black linear text in background

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!”

Hajj Inspired Art Pt1: Hajjar’s True Independence

“Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa’y. It resolves the contradictions that have confused mankind throughout history” -Ali Shariati If you are reading this blog, you probably are not on hajj right now. You might be getting ready to see the 4th of July “Independence Day” fireworks (like I am) and feeling disconnected from the hajjContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt1: Hajjar’s True Independence”

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.

X Speaks: An Appeal to African Heads of State Pt 2 of 3

X Speaks: An Appeal to African Heads of State Pt1 of 3

X SPEAKS AT CONTEMPORARY IMAGE COLLECTIVE, CAIRO

CAIRO’S CONTEMPORARY IMAGE COLLECTIVE PRESENTS NSENGA KNIGHT’S “X SPEAKS: AN APPEAL TO AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE,” A NEW ITERATION OF KNIGHT’S SOCIAL PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK DEDICATED TO MALCOLM X’S FINAL SPEECHES

X Speaks: An Appeal to African Heads of State

Performative Reading / Social Practice with Nsenga Knight// Sunday, 27 February 2022, 7pm @ Contemporary Image Collective in Cairo, Egypt In conjunction with «The Light of Distant Stars – On Cairo and Pan Africanism», a library of research materials, gatherings and live events that is currently taking place at CIC, we cordially invite you toContinue reading “X Speaks: An Appeal to African Heads of State”