The St. Claude Gallery in New Orleans presents “Moth in a Disco Room,” an exhibit by MFA student Farah Billah that opens Saturday, March 12. The exhibition is an exploration of identity through the visual and material history of Bangladeshi textile work.
Billah’s thesis exhibition encompasses oil paintings, line drawings and a hand tufted textile rug.
Billah navigates her own cultural memory through her mother’s sarees—the garment of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body and traditionally worn by women from South Asia—and by placing them on the bodies of women who keep that knowledge. These women are presented in a range of forms, frequently embellished in illustrious patterns and created with bold physical features and colors. Their skin has been emboldened with the green of the Bangladeshi flag and the brown of paper and paint.
This series of paintings pays homage to the Bengali women in her family, the ones making garments for the world in the factories of Bangladesh and an acknowledgement of the creative spirit passed from one generation to another.
The patterns and imagery in embroidery, fabrics and jewelry of Bengali culture are seen throughout the exhibition, while the works also carry surrealist elements allowing for an immersive experience.
An opening reception will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the St. Claude Gallery, 2429 St. Claude Avenue. The show runs through April 3. Regular gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.
