Claiming the Third World Woman

The title of this reflection is inspired by the exhibit I spent the most time in Los Angeles: Women Defining Women.

Locations and Exhibits Visited:

• LA County Museum of Art: Women Defining Women, Afro-Atlantic Histories, Light, Space, Surface, New Abstracts: Recent Acquisitions, Artist Selects: Silke Otto-Knapp, The Living We Are Doing, Always Among Others

The LA County Museum, a sprawling bastion of artistic expression, stood as my solitary destination within the city's cultural landscape. Its vast complex, an amalgamation of distinct museums nestled side by side, welcomed me on a sunlit morning. I remained ensconced within its creative embrace for the entirety of the day. Unsurprisingly, the "Women Defining Women" exhibit emerged as the highlight of my visit.

This exhibition, an intricate tapestry of narratives, delved deep into the experiences of women whose lives had been woven into the fabric of Islamic societies and their diasporas—an embodiment of intersectionality in its truest form. At the outset of my journey, my perspective had been tethered to the broad brushstrokes of "South Asia." However, the exhibition's intricate narratives periodically reminded me of the vast diversity of experiences and the intricate web of identity categories within this expansive region.

What set "Women Defining Women" apart was its unflinching scrutiny of the constraints often imposed upon the category of Muslim womanhood. Instead of adhering to preconceived notions, it centered on the individual embarking on a journey through the labyrinthine and ever-fluid terrain of identity. The art is showcased traversing a spectrum of emotions, from the seething currents of rage to the contemplative depths of spirituality, from the haunting echoes of conflict to the mundane tapestry of daily existence. In doing so, it fearlessly probed the limits of the Muslim woman's body and, by extension, the concept of womanhood itself.

Within the exhibition, the women's voices, as subjects and creators of the art, offered glimpses into their intricate thought processes during their involvement in the projects. They beckoned questions that reverberated through the gallery: questions about religion and sexuality, about how society's gaze so often rendered a woman's body a subject of sexualization. They pondered the symbolism of a burka-clad woman traversing museums across the globe, a potent embodiment of freedom. They illuminated the nuances of everyday life—a tapestry interwoven with micro anxieties and fleeting moments of joy.

Yet, amid this profound exploration of identity and womanhood, a seemingly ordinary encounter in the park adjacent to the museum added another layer to the complex tapestry of human connection. A serendipitous concert drew a diverse and harmonious crowd as I sought solace amidst the verdant surroundings. Nestled in a quiet corner, I contemplated the wealth of impressions the exhibition had left upon my soul.

During this introspective interlude, a couple ensconced in the garden for some time caught my attention as they engaged in the age-old ritual of capturing their fleeting moments. Overcoming the threshold that separates tourists from travelers, I approached them, offering to immortalize their connection with the artistry of the lens. To my surprise, their generosity transcended the customary bounds of such exchanges, as the woman kindly extended an invitation for me to step into the frame. Awkwardness gnawed at my being, yet I could not decline the offer, so I assumed their places.

As I contorted myself into various poses, the woman's curiosity led her to inquire about my name and the purpose of my presence in Los Angeles. It was in this exchange that the narrative took an unexpected turn. The man, beaming with a warm smile, interjected with the assumption that they, too, hailed from India. I mustered a hesitant chuckle as I revealed, "I am actually from Pakistan."

In that instant, a subtle shift in the atmosphere was palpable. Their warmth, once abundant, dwindled into a polite reserve. They promptly returned my phone, bade their adieus, and strolled away. A whirlwind of emotions stirred within me in the aftermath of this encounter. Here I stood, a Pakistani bearing the name Ekta Shaikh—an intricately layered juxtaposition of identities—seeking solace in the notion of a South Asian collective, only to be confronted by the boundless diversity and nuanced boundaries that it entailed.

This encounter served as a poignant reminder that identity's intricacies and the relatability vagaries often defy simple comprehension. In the complex symphony of human connections, the contours of identity are never static but forever in flux. The encounter echoed the sentiments that had resonated throughout the feminist exhibition: that the convoluted nature of identity, with all its paradoxes and complexities, is a testament to the limitless facets of the human experience.