The Frist Art Museum in Nashville will present "Anila Quayyum Agha: Interwoven," a survey exhibition spanning two decades of the Pakistani American artist's work, from May 22 to August 30, 2026. Organized by The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, the show features 26 works including installations, drawings, and sculptures that explore themes of identity, immigration, and environmental devastation, drawing on influences from Indo-Islamic architecture, Urdu poetry, and traditional crafts. The exhibition, which is the final stop on a four-venue tour, includes Agha's iconic lightbox installations such as "Intersections" (which won the 2014 ArtPrize) and "All the Flowers Are for Me (Red)."
This exhibition matters because it highlights the work of a highly sought-after contemporary artist whose practice bridges cultural divides and addresses urgent social issues. Agha's immersive installations, which transform spaces with light and geometric patterns, challenge traditional boundaries of gender, religion, and nationality, creating inclusive environments that invite viewers of all backgrounds to share in their beauty. The show also underscores the growing recognition of artists who draw on non-Western traditions and crafts, elevating embroidery and Islamic pattern within contemporary art discourse.