Dina Wind Art Foundation is hosting an evocative and compelling exhibition by visual artist Kara Mshinda, titled “Assembled Presence”, from March 13 through May 31, 2025. Kara Mshinda is known for her dynamic exploration of urban narratives, the fluidity of feminine identity, and documentation of daily life, making this exhibition a significant event for Philadelphia’s contemporary art scene.
Kara Mshinda – A Visual Anthropologist’s Perspective
Ohio-born Kara Mshinda holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Anthropology from The University of Akron and furthered her education at Temple University in Philadelphia. Her visual practice beautifully blends her anthropological background with artistic expression, using methods ranging from traditional portraiture to alternative photographic processes.
In “Assembled Presence”, Mshinda navigates between documentary realism and abstract collage, creating visually poetic narratives that engage deeply with themes of femininity, sensuality, and identity. Central to the exhibition is her exploration of Ball culture and the expressive significance of the face and hands, inspired by “vogue femme” dance performances. Mshinda transforms contemporary fashion magazine imagery into striking new narratives celebrating diverse expressions of femininity, desire, and empowerment through the feminine gaze.
Kara Mshinda – Fractured Realities and Creative Reassembly
A remarkable aspect of Kara Mshinda’s latest collection is its thoughtful response to social disruptions, including the COVID-19 quarantine and Hurricane Katrina. Captured entirely on 35mm film, these pieces document moments of intimacy and isolation, exploring how community bonds fracture and rebuild during times of upheaval. By printing photographs as transparencies, cutting them into unique shapes, and reassembling them digitally, she crafts images that are simultaneously authentic and abstract, creating powerful metaphors for community, discovery, and urban existence.
“Fierce Shoulders”, 2021, Paper, photographs, and acrylic medium; Mixed media collage on paper, 11 x 14” (left) “Rouge”, 2021, Paper and acrylic medium on toned blue paper, 9 x12″ (right)
The exhibition also features new works derived from collaborative artistic challenges. These pieces respond to specific thematic prompts such as color schemes (red, white, black), flowers, and rituals, demonstrating Mshinda’s ability to transform constrained artistic parameters into pathways for unexpected creativity.
Join Kara Mshinda at the exhibition’s in-person reception on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, held at 1610 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA. This event offers an invaluable opportunity to engage with Mshinda directly and experience the profound depth of her artistic vision. Space is limited and advance RSVP is mandatory.
“Odyssey”, 2024, Photographs and acrylic on paper 12 x 12″
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