The Vault: Nusra Latif Qureshi

This work was selected by Rebecca Prevost (class of 2018), who explains: “I was first attracted to Nusra Latif Qureshi’s prints by her lively choice of color and intricate overlay of images. Qureshi was formally trained in the art of Mughal miniature painting, a style born out of the courts of the Mughal Empire in the 16th to 18th centuries that focuses on ornate detail with often epic scenes from sacred Hindu texts. She brings a contemporary take on an old art form, layering prominent female figures with botanical images, such as the bird seen here. Her works question history erasure where the effects of colonialism have caused the extinction of plants and animals, as well as the often forgotten place of women in traditional Mughal miniature paintings. The cherubs outlined around the bird are a further testament by the artist to traditional Pahari school paintings of lovers.”

The Vault

The Vault, which also houses some of the works from our permanent collection, is dedicated to featuring and displaying works chosen by MSU students who work at the museum. Each month, one of our student gallery guides selects a piece from our collection and writes a short text explaining why they chose it and believe it should be displayed. By providing our gallery guides with an opportunity to participate in the curatorial process of selection and display, we aim to open a dialogue with the student community while simultaneously sharing with the public works from the collection that would otherwise remain in storage.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.