I led a discussion with gifted photographer and filmmaker Nsenga Knight. Her exhibition, “As The Veil Turns: Female Pioneers of the American Muslim Community,” will remain up at Harriet’s Alter Ego, 293 Flatbush between St Marks and Prospect, until December 30th. Last night, about 50 people crowded the gallery space in the back of the store to hear this sister talk about her powerful work, which has received funding from the Brooklyn Arts Council. I was thrilled to be asked to help guide the conversation.
Nsenga has exhibited her work at places including Cannes, Yale, and the Brooklyn Public Library. With “As the Veil Turns,” she documents the experiences of African American Muslim women in Brooklyn who converted (or reverted) to Islam before 1975. Nsenga chose 1975, because that’s the year Elijah Muhammad passed and many NOI members accepted Sunni Islam under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad’s son. This historical context is significant, but the real achievement of Nsenga’s work is her celebration of the Black Muslim female experience.
Nsenga’s subjects gaze into her still camera, defying the myth of female Muslim subjugation. Her subjects, elders with straight backs and glowing, healthy skin, warm and powerful, all speak. Nsenga, a graduate of Howard University’s film program, has created a short film documenting these women’s experiences with Islam, the NOI, and mid-20th century Brooklyn life. In addition, the portraits each have small audio devices to allow visitors to hear each woman bear witness to her own life, in her own words.
Nsenga said she wanted to capture the individual spirit of each woman and document the diverse experiences of African American Muslim women in Brooklyn. She certainly succeeded.
A guest last night raised her hand and identified herself as a representative from the Brooklyn Arts Council. She said “As the Veil Turns” represents the best of Brooklyn artists, and the exhibition is a model for the level of excellence the council seeks to fund and support.
When the first woman to speak during the q&a period spoke about one of the subjects of the exhibition, Alberta, the woman’s mother, who is now in the hospital, she testified to Nsenga’s important work as documentarian – and left not a dry eye in the gallery.
Several of the elders pictured were in attendance last night, and as they stood at the conclusion of the event, everyone honored them with rousing applause. These women are our living encyclopedias, as Nsenga pointed out during our discussion. We thank the artist for sharing their knowledge and beauty with us all.
Comment(s)
This message comes from Nsenga. (I have to talk to my webmaster about the trouble some of you are having posting comments. Sorry!)
As salaam alaikum Eisa!
I’m just writing to show my gratitude. You were such an excellent, wonderful moderator at the “As the Veil Turns” Artist Talk. I couldn’t have wished for anyone better to discuss my project with amongst so many wonderful people. Thank you sis. I’m so glad to have been sharing this project with you. You were insightful, sensitive, and so very present. I was floating on a cloud since last week, just overjoyed at the good vibes and success of our event on December 7th.
Peace and Love,
Nsenga