Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Video still, Ghosts of the Past
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Communications | 405 951 0000 | communications@okcontemp.org
Media kit: bit.ly/Home1947
Grant will fund upcoming exhibition HOME1947: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Oklahoma Contemporary is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from Oklahoma Humanities. The grant will be used to assist in funding the upcoming exhibition HOME1947: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, which will allow Oklahoma Contemporary to provide access to, and resources for, the humanities in our community.
HOME1947 will open in the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery on Feb. 22, 2024, from Pakistani Canadian filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. The exhibition explores the lives and stories of the millions displaced during the August 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan. Through a series of short documentary and narrative films, virtual reality, photography, oral histories and archival materials, as well as immersive, multi-sensory installation components, HOME1947 crafts spaces that capture visual memories of the shared human experience through a contemporary lens. By situating the exhibition in the heart of OKC, HOME1947 aims to bridge a connection between historically marginalized and often unheard voices and communities, encouraging visitors to experience concepts of belonging and home and consider the past in present conflicting moments.
At the new, state-of-the-art Oklahoma Contemporary, visitors explore art and creativity through exhibitions, performances and a wide variety of educational programs. At its core, the multidisciplinary contemporary arts organization is an inclusive space. Exhibitions and most programs are free.
“This generous support from Oklahoma Humanities not only underscores the importance of HOME1947: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy to Oklahoma Contemporary, but also highlights the significance of humanities themes to contemporary art exhibitions,” says Chief Development Officer Trent Riley. “The funds secured will play a pivotal role in elevating this exhibition by ensuring an immersive experience that transcends geographical boundaries and captivates audiences.”
Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.
About Oklahoma Humanities
Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.
Image:
Video still, Ghosts of the Past, 2017. Video, 2:16 min. © Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Photo courtesy of SOC Films.
