PAKISTAN-BASED ARTISTS
ABRO KHUDA BUX (KARACHI, SINDH) is a photographer and graphic design artist, and has exhibited extensively around Pakistan as part of “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Exhibition of Graphics and Photography,” “The Image of Flame,” as well as solo exhibitions. Bux participated in VBB’s May 2010 Living Room Art production and helped in the creation of VBB’s first Art Car.
ATTIYA DAWOOD (KARACHI, SINDH) is a voice from the villages of rural Sindh. She writes largely in Urdu and has published widely in Pakistan. Her poetry and memoir are widely read around South Asia and her voice has been hailed as an urgent call for women in the region.
SAMYA ARIF KHAN, TEHMINA MIRZA + SANA NASIR WITH DESIGNERS UNITED FOR A CAUSE, KARACHI – D.U.C.K! (KARACHI, SINDH) work with D.U.C.K!, a humanitarian design movement. The group is comprised of pro-active designers who recognize the value and responsibility of their talents and exhibit and create solely to raise awareness, funds and their voices for humanitarian causes. D.U.C.K!’s work has been exhibited in Pakistan, the UK, US and Canada.
MUSHTAQ GAZDAR (KARACHI, SINDH) 1939-2000, was a cinematographer who scripted, directed and produced around 190 short feature films, documentaries and newsreels on subjects of poverty, women’s rights and culture. A recipient of many national and international awards, Gazdar was associated with international film productions, including the Emmy Award winner Traffik.
HAYA FATIMA IQBAL (KARACHI, SINDH) is a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan, currently pursuing graduate studies in News & Documentary at New York University. She is currently filming an hour-long documentary on ethnic violence in Sindh. Iqbal has written for Dawn, The News, and Daily Times and worked at Geo News during her time in Pakistan. She runs KUMAK Pakistan with her friends and her experimental video works can be watched on You Tube.
NRITAAL (KARACHI, SINDH) is a music and dance group that consists of young and aspiring artists. The aim of NRITAAL is to promote especially the performing arts, dance, music, theatre and poetry. The group is a representation of how different forms of art are closely connected with each other.
ON-SITE ARTISTS
NATHANIEL DONNETT (THIRD WARD, HOUSTON) studied at Texas Southern University. He has received numerous grants including the Houston Arts Alliance individual art grant, 2011 Idea Art Fund, and the 2010 Artadia Award. His work has been exhibited in spaces including the Armory Show in New York, Art Miami, and The Modern Museum of Peru. Donnett’s work is available at Jenkins Johnson gallery in New York, New York.
AUTUMN KNIGHT (THIRD WARD, HOUSTON) has performed internationally with Elevator Repair Service and is a co-founder of Jelly Jar, a performance-based collective. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Speech Communications from Dillard University and Master of Arts in Drama Therapy from New York University. Knight received additional acting training at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama.
ROBERT A. PRUITT (THIRD WARD, HOUSTON) is a founding member of the artist collective Otabenga Jones & Associates. His work has been exhibited at spaces including The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Studio Museum of Harlem, and the 2006 Whitney Biennial. His awards include Artadia (2004) and Tiffany Foundation (2008). Currently, he is teaching at Texas Southern University.
SEHBA SARWAR (KARACHI, SINDH / HOUSTON) is a writer and multidisciplinary artist. Born and raised in Pakistan, she is based in Houston, and her writings have appeared in anthologies, newspapers, and magazines in India, Pakistan, South Korea, and the US, and her videos have been screened in India, Pakistan, Egypt and the US. Sarwar serves as VBB’s artistic/founding director and produces VBB living room art shows.
M’KINA TAPSCOTT (THIRD WARD, HOUSTON) is currently completing an MFA program at the University of Houston. As a sculptor, Tapscott works with her hands to create objects that explore memories and current issues within the African American community. She incorporates the use of alternative venues and found objects to explore aspects of popular culture.