MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

MULTICULTURAL AND DIVERSE ARTISTIC INFLUENCES MEET IN “CONVERGENCES”

New solo exhibition features unique works of Nosheen Iqbal

ROCKPORT, Texas (July 18, 2024) — Nosheen Iqbal, a multidisciplinary artist known for her colorful and unique embroidery on wood creations, is bringing her solo exhibition, “Convergences,” to Rockport Center for the Arts, July 26–Sept. 8.

"Convergences" will showcase Iqbal’s craftsmanship with delicate threads, dyed rope, semi-precious natural stones and beads, creating wall-dependent fiber works woven through stained and dyed woods. Exploring the tactile and visual interplay between soft fibers and hardwood, her work embodies a dialogue between nature and modernity.

Iqbal’s art will be on view and available for collection through Sept. 8 in the McKelvey Charitable Fund Gallery with a public artist reception on Saturday, August 10, from 5–7 p.m., to coincide with the monthly Austin Street Art Walk a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring RCA and other galleries located in downtown Rockport. The show and reception are free and open to the public.

“The artist’s approach to color through fiber showcases her creativity and highlights the versatility of the medium,” said Catey Arnold, The Barrow Foundation Curator of Exhibitions for RCA. “Her artwork reads with such layered presence. I look forward to seeing this unique body of work grace the space.”

Symbolizing the convergence of Iqbal’s multicultural upbringing and diverse artistic influences, “Convergences” draws from her background in design and her Pakistani heritage. Influenced by color theory, midcentury modern furniture design, and Islamic art’s intricate patterns, Iqbal's creations are a thoughtful exploration of identity; her exhibition, a vibrant exploration of color palettes and materials.

Born in Surrey, England, and later moving to Texas during her mid-teens, Iqbal's artistic journey began at an early age, sewing and embroidering small remnants of fabric, leaves and textured papers. Her work has long been recognized for its significance, receiving an outstanding portfolio award at The University of North Texas where she earned a BA in Communication Design with minors in Textiles and Art History. 

She worked for Fossil for more than a decade after graduating, in design and art direction and finally as a lead watch designer. She has worked for other renowned brands such as DKNY and Armani Exchange, as well as Hermes, creating extraordinary installations for their store window displays.

Building on her experience in design and art direction, Iqbal's multidisciplinary approach now includes the realms of product design, illustration, graphic design, and visual art. Her Pakistani heritage plays a dominant role in her choice of color, pattern and texture, paying homage to a rich history of pigment dyeing and embroidery techniques that vary in each province and pre-date the Mughal Empire. She is also heavily influenced by the intricate and interlaced patterns found in Islamic Art, taking key elements from the classical tradition and elaborating upon them to invent a new form of decoration and design.

Iqbal has produced works for companies such as Opening Ceremony, Virgin Voyages and JW Marriott, and created charitable pieces for Dwell with Dignity, The Warren Center, ICNA and the Humane League.

In addition to RCA, group and solo exhibitions include Art 214, Dallas (2024); Rojo Gallery, San Antonio (2023); Artspace One Eleven, Fort Worth (2020); Women’s Museum, Dallas (2019); 6th Annual Juried International Exhibition of Contemporary Islamic Art, Irving, Texas (2017); and Northern Quarter Group Art Show, Manchester, England (2015).

Iqbal’s work can be found in the permanent collection of the Fort Works Art, Fort Worth, Texas, and has been featured in numerous television segments and publications including Texas Monthly and Fiber Art Now magazine.

For more information on “Convergences,” visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Austin Street Art Walk

Austin Street Art Walk is a collective effort of the Rockport Center for the Arts and Moon Over Water Gallery in partnership with Rockport galleries, restaurants, and businesses located along Austin Street in the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Scheduled the second Saturday of each month, April through December, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Art Walk is a free, alfresco, walkable art experience featuring an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textiles, as well as live music, artist demonstrations, food and more. Follow us on Facebook for more information.

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