Join artist and curator Parwana Haydar in this informal, exploratory artist peer support group interrogating the meaning of diaspora art, our relationship with institutions, and the wider structures of the art world.

What’s the difference between identity politics and diaspora belonging? How can we create spaces to collaborate and criticize each other’s work in ways that are intentional, challenging, and rewarding for artists? How do we navigate and interrogate the expectations of the wider art world as artists in the diaspora?

These are the questions rooting this informal session as we collectively and critically think through our relationship to diaspora art and what it means for our work and value systems as artists. Parwana will kick things off by breaking down the meaning of diaspora art, examining a few different examples to act as grounding points for conversation, ranging from grassroots arts collectives and communities to individual practitioners and artists operating within the moniker.

We will then talk through how we can create our own parameters for ‘success’ as artists in the diaspora, including working through how we position ourselves in relation to institutional expectations; mapping out how we can oppose, resist, redirect, and collaborate with intentionality and criticality; questioning how we hold ourselves and others accountable.

The aim of this peer support group isn’t to provide all the answers but contribute to our collective thinking – we want to co-create an informal, low-stakes space for sharing, dialogue, and critical thinking! Please bring real life examples of your experiences in the art world and any questions you have around this topic.

Some drinks and snacks will be provided, but this is a potluck style event! So, we encourage you to bring along a dish, snack, or drink of your choice if you are able to.