Curated by Safia Mahmood, “Hyphenated” at Rspace brought together the works of five thought-provoking artists—Ali Murtaza, Kaiser Irfan, Marium Kamal, Menal Bano, and Umaina Khan—each offering a unique perspective on the complexities of living between identities. This exhibition invited viewers to reflect on the paradox of existing in two worlds at once—whether that duality is cultural, ideological, or emotional.

Ali Murtaza: Trapped in the Loop  

Ali Murtaza’s work captured the disorienting, humorous, and often absurd journey of self-reinvention. His pieces invited viewers to reflect on their own identities, asking:

“Do you ever find yourself trapped in a loop, daydreaming about the possible realities of who you think you are and who you might become?”

Ali’s figures, awkwardly dancing in disjointed attires, mirrored the confusion of those trapped in a bizarre collective hallucination of identity. These figures didn’t seek resolution; they hoped instead that you would laugh at the absurdity and allow yourself to get lost in the beautiful uncertainty of who you are becoming.

“They hope, instead of questioning the madness, you would laugh at it.”

Kaiser Irfan: Bridging Cultures  

As an Irish-Pakistani artist, Kaiser Irfan embraced the hyphen as a bridge between two worlds—East and West. His work delved into the overlaps and differences between the two, inspired by his experiences living in Lahore while maintaining a deep connection to Western European culture.  

Kaiser’s art explored themes of alchemy, history, and esotericism, drawing from both South Asian and Western European philosophical traditions. His intricate use of old manuscripts and indecipherable palimpsests echoed his own hyphenated existence.

“The works I have created explore old manuscripts, indecipherable palimpsests and esoteric markings that are inspired by Alchemical texts.”

Marium Kamal: Taking Back the Gaze  

Marium Kamal’s work channeled the rage and frustration of women reclaiming their spaces. Her powerful female figures were tired of being objectified, of feeling unsafe in the spaces they had every right to occupy. These women were on the verge of chaos, reckless and fearless in their demand for justice. They stared back at the men who had objectified them, intent on making them feel the discomfort they had caused.

“These women represented revenge. They were fed up, angry, and frustrated. They wanted to scream at these men, make them feel what I felt every day.”

Marium’s work was a fearless reclamation of power, offering a raw and unapologetic critique of the male gaze and the societal pressures placed on women.

Menal Bano: Navigating Dualities  

The duality of identity and space was a central theme in Menal Bano’s work. She captured the tension and harmony between different aspects of oneself, using abstract forms and vibrant movement to depict the fluidity of living between worlds.

Her two pieces for this exhibition were deeply personal reflections of her own experiences of reconciling conflicting identities. They conveyed both the challenges and the beauty of navigating spaces that felt both familiar and foreign, highlighting the complexities of existence.

“My artworks symbolize the dynamic and sometimes chaotic journey of reconciling different aspects of oneself, illustrating the complexities and challenges of navigating spaces that feel both familiar and foreign.”

Umaina Khan: Uncovering the Objectified Body  

Umaina Khan’s work was a striking commentary on the objectification of women’s bodies in society. She explored the act of covering and uncovering, drawing attention to how the female body is often reduced to an edible figure—something to be unwrapped, exposed, and consumed by the male gaze.

Through her art, Umaina critiqued the societal standards of beauty and perfection placed on women. Her female figures were flawed, unapologetic, and radically different from traditional depictions of femininity. Her work called for a new narrative where women’s bodies are no longer passive objects but are celebrated in all their imperfection.

“My female figures are opposite to what you would perceive a woman to be. They critique the idea of body perfectionism and allow women to be different, flaw-full, and unapologetic.”

A Complex and Beautiful Narrative of Identity

Together, the artists of “Hyphenated” created a rich tapestry of identity, movement, and transition. Under the thoughtful curation of Safia Mahmood, the exhibition explored the tension of living between worlds and the inevitable process of change that comes with it. Each artist presented their own interpretation of what it means to live with a hyphenated identity—whether that be cultural, emotional, or ideological.

As the exhibition has now come to a close, the questions it posed continue to resonate: How do we synthesize these contesting worlds? And how do we remain whole while doing so?

At Rspace, we are proud to have hosted such a deeply impactful exhibition, and we look forward to bringing more thought-provoking art to our community. Stay tuned for our future events, and follow us for the latest updates!