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Muna Zuberi

Hoddesdon
Glass sculpture, architectural and art stained glass, and glass paintings.
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Recently my artistic practice has undergone a noticeable shift towards addressing political themes, a response to the growing polarisation on both national and international fronts. One of my focal points has been an exploration of the #metoo movement, which gained prominence amidst the heightened reporting of violence against women during the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. This subject, though challenging, has prompted deep reflection on the status of women in society and the roles they are traditionally assigned.

Simultaneously, my artistic inquiries have led me to delve into the critical issues surrounding refugees and migration, especially in how these subjects are portrayed in the media. The contrasting treatment of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and those arriving from other regions has been starkly evident. Consequently, I have embarked on creating artwork that scrutinizes the journeys of refugees and examines the role of journalistic reporting and media opinions in shaping public perception.

My overarching interest in identity and the associated 'labelling' stems from my personal background as a 'mixed race' individual with an immigrant parent. Notably, I was advised a few years ago to use the term 'mixed heritage' instead of 'mixed race,' which prompted me to question who has the authority to dictate what terminology I should employ to describe myself. This introspection extends to various aspects of life, where individuals are often categorized and labeled – whether as wives, mothers, breadwinners, spinsters, weak, strong, middle-aged, old, ugly, pretty, handsome, refugees, migrants, and more. It raises the fundamental query of whether these labels genuinely define who we are.

I believe we are all so much more than the labels assigned to us; we are simultaneously unique and interconnected by our shared biological origins. Our multifaceted identities go far beyond these simplistic classifications and I want to break down the stereotypes these labels encourage.

I became a fellow at Digswell Arts in Letchworth Garden City in October 2019.

 

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