Anila Quayyum Agha ('04) describes her time at UNT as rigorous and challenging, which helped her not only survive but thrive in the art world.
Agha won the $300,000 Public Grand Prize and shared the Juried Grand Prize at ArtPrize 2014, one of the most prestigious art awards in the world. She won the awards for her art piece Intersections, a black lacquer laser-cut wood cube with a light source that casts shadows while suspended from the ceiling.
"I was really excited and elated," she says. "Being judged by respected art professionals means a great deal for an artist. And then the absolutely wonderful reaction from the public was amazing."
Agha is an associate professor of drawing at Indiana University -- Purdue University Indianapolis. Her exhibition Quicksand: Landscape of the Feminine was presented at the Arts Council of Indianapolis this spring. It was curated by the council's vice president, alumna Shannon M. Linker ('94).
Agha used a cross disciplinary approach in her art practice, creating both large sculptural installations and embroidered drawings to explore the complexities of global politics, cultural multiplicity, mass media and social and gender roles in the current cultural and global scenario.
She credits Annette Lawrence, professor of studio arts, and Jennifer Way, professor of art education and art history, for inspiring her as a student.
"My time at UNT was sometimes difficult, often enlightening and ultimately very rewarding."
