A Journey into the Great Unknown

Both Pakistani Americans, Sikander and Akhtar have incorporated their Muslim heritage into their separate practices in ways that challenge mainstream perceptions of American Muslim identity. 

The result of their original collaboration will be on view in our south Asia galleries. Entitled Portrait of the Artist, the work, a suite of four etching and a related colophon written by Akhtar, explores the theme of Mi'raj — the mystical night journey of the Prophet Muhammad. A powerful theme in Persian and Indian painting traditions.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.