An award-winning artist is bringing her prize creation to a Blackburn art gallery for a new exhibition later this month.
Zara Saghir earned a first place in the Blackburn Museum Art Open earlier this year for her piece I Am Mrs Khan.
And from Friday, May 23, her work will be on display at Prism Contemporary in Lord Street West, Blackburn.
Zara said of her work: “Referencing a popular poster pasted all around Islamabad. The mythical ‘Mrs Khan,’ promises to find husbands and facilitate happy marriages.
“‘I am Mrs Khan’ positions me in this role, in a performative series of gestures where gender roles are subverted by the juxtaposition of traditional western business clothes associated with men, and the heritage jewelry of Pakistan, that is associated with wedding ceremonies.
“In this work, I am both the fixer and the fixed, I take responsibility for my own future and reclaim the role of Mrs Khan from what is undoubtedly a male construct.”
A spokesman for Prism said: “Mrs Khan explores marriage, gender roles, and cultural identity — blending sharp humour with moments of quiet reflection.
“Rooted in both South Asian and Western heritage, the exhibition questions who holds power in rituals of union — and what it means to challenge, subvert, or reclaim those roles.
“Artist Zara Saghir explores taboo issues within British South Asian culture, interrogating systems of power, values, and hierarchy.
“Drawing on personal experience, she creates space for voices that have been overlooked or silenced — using art as a tool for advocacy, care, and cultural activism.”
An opening night is being staged on Thursday, from 6pm to 8pm with free soft drinks and refreshments.
The exhibition runs until Saturday, June 7, open Thursdays to Saturdays noon to 4pm.
Zara also works across arts programmes Super Slow Way and the British Textile Biennial.
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