MLitt Curatorial Practice School of Fine Art
Samah Ayesha
Samah Ayesha (b.1999) is a socially engaged curator dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for social justice through the arts. With a background in Fine Art and Social Work, she brings with her experience in curatorial practice, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is also a member of Religions for Peace Youth Committee India and through her advocacy work has spoken as a representative at various international events including at the Asia Youth Leaders Camp 2023 and Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network seminar 2022.
Samah has completed the LedBy Accelerator program 2023, a Harvard-incubated initiative that empowers Indian Muslim women and she is also a recipient of the Pravah Changelooms Fellowship 2020, awarded to young social activists.
Her most recent Curatorial project is called My Name, Not Yours- an art publication featuring works of transnational Muslim artists looking into themes of activism, faith, and creative practice – challenging Western norms of identity and representation.
Projects
My Name, Not Yours
‘My Name, Not Yours’ (MNNY) is a one-of-a-kind art publication featuring a diverse set of works of 14 Muslim artists, writers, and a scholar from the UK, India, and Kashmir.
At the heart of MNNY is the exploration of themes including identity, belonging, and cross-border solidarity. As Muhammad Ali, the activist and boxer once declared: “I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.” This powerful statement resonates deeply with our contributing artists, who assert their identities in the face of misrepresentation and marginalization.
MNNY stands in solidarity with people around the world who are suffering from injustice, genocide, and exploitation. As you explore the following pages, we hope you’ll be moved, challenged, and ultimately inspired to join the ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable
world.
*Proceeds from the publication sale will be donated to The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund and E-Sims for Gaza.
