The New York Sari

The New York Sari centers the sari as an essential part of the cultural fabric of New York City, using it as a metaphor for the ways in which the individuals who wear and create saris have straddled tradition, culture, and modernity in their work, art, and lives. The exhibition tells the stories of who wears saris, the relationship between saris and identities, and how they've evolved over time.

The New York Sari showcases the deep influence that South Asians have had on the culture of New York City from the Gilded Age to the present day, beginning with the little known history of Coney Island’s first theme park and culminating with the vibrant communities that are home to the South Asian diaspora today. 

Offering a unique history of migrant communities and gender in New York City, the exhibition explores how individuals have drawn strength from tradition while looking clearly towards a bolder future of inclusion and progress. 

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website