The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness
The Paglees is a feminist collective of artists of South Asian origin living across the United States. Paglee or pagli means crazy woman in a number of South Asian languages. The Paglees are: Fawzia Khan, Indrani Nayar-Gall, Monica Jahan Bose, Nirmal Raja, Pallavi Sharma, Renluka Maharaj, and Shelly Bahl.
The Paglees investigate – with fierceness, beauty, and wit – the impact on women of generations of patriarchy, religion, white supremacy, colonialism, violence, capitalism, and environmental plunder.
The title of the exhibition derives from Rosa Parks’ words: “There is just so much hurt, disappointment and oppression one can take. The bubble of life grows larger. The line between reason and madness grows thinner.” (Rosa Parks: Writings, Notes and Statements,1956-58).
Featuring mixed-media works on paper, fabric, and canvas, sculpture, performance, photography, installation, and moving image, The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness, questions and reframes the labeling of non-conforming women as crazy and the marginalization of immigrant women of color. This collective exhibition presents new decolonial narratives that center the reason and wisdom of brown women of the Global South and diaspora, and provide pathways to a creative feminist future. The Paglees believe in working in collaboration with other marginalized communities to build bridges and demand social, environmental, and legal justice for all.
The exhibition was previously exhibited at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, IL.
The Paglees color the lens of collective feminism - Chicago Reader
Featured Artists:
Shelly Bahl, NYC.
Monica Jahan Bose, Washington, DC.
Fawzia Khan, Hopkins, MN.
Renluka Maharaj, Boulder, CO.
Indrani Nayar-Gall, Charlotte, NC.
Nirmal Raja, Milwaukee, WI.
Pallavi Sharma, San Ramon, CA.
Events:
May 22: Opening Reception + Artist Talk
