Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair

A brightly lit and suspended blue cube with laser cut shapes on all sides that cast intricate shadows on yellow walls.
Image Credit
September 25, 2021–January 9, 2022
Second floor

Light and shadow come together in the latest immersive contemporary exhibition at the Carter! Commissioned by the Carter, Pakistani-American multidisciplinary artist Anila Quayyum Agha will create an immersive, site-specific sculptural installation ​and related drawings ​informed by her multicultural experience. Agha’s sculptures are created from intricately cut steel illuminated by a single light source, dramatically filling the room with ornate patterns of light and shadow. Bridging modern and traditional materials with historic and contemporary meanings, her work weaves together complex themes of global politics, social and gender roles, and mass media while simultaneously creating a contemplative, welcoming space that draws you in. You won’t want to miss it!

Explore Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair from the comfort of your home with our virtual exhibition tour!

Talk to us (online), Anila

Read an interview with Anila Quayyum Agha about her inspiration for A Beautiful Despair.

Artist Anila Agha working in her studio.

Anila Q. Agha

A Beautiful Despair (Cube), 2021

Laser cut lacquered steel

2022.19

A brightly lit and suspended blue cube with laser cut shapes on all sides that cast intricate shadows on yellow walls.

Anila Q. Agha

Liminal Space (Diamond), 2021

laser cut, lacquered steel saffron yellow

A square piece of steel with an intricate design cut into it projects ethereal shadows on a gold wall behind it.

Anila Q. Agha

Captive Shadow 1, 2020

Mixed media on paper (charcoal, encaustic, embroidery, paper cutout)

An intricate square design framing square stitching in the center on a black background.

Anila Q. Agha

Flowers (Green Triangle), 2018

mixed media on paper

A light gray-green triangle with an intricate design cut into it stitched onto black paper.

Anila Q. Agha

Black Tinted Flower, 2020

Mixed media on paper (paper cutout, pastels, encaustic, silver embroidery)

A detailed circular floral design in silver with circles stitched in the center on a black background.

Share your experience with A Beautiful Despair using: #BeautifulDespair

Installation Photos

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Past Events

Educator Workshop: Mapping New Stories

Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1–3 p.m.
A watercolor painting of a woman wearing a face covering and a white dress collecting flowers in a desert landscape.

Bookish: Home Fire

Thursday, December 2, 2021, 6–8 p.m.
A group of people reading a book in one of the Carter's galleries.

Carter Playdate: Shadow Shows

Saturday, November 20, 2021, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
A toddler uses colored pencils to draw on paper.

Itty-Bitty Art:  Bright Lights, Soft Shadows

Saturday, November 20, 2021, 10–11 a.m.
baby and mom sitting on the floor playing

Homeschool at the Carter: Woven Experiences

Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 2–3:30 p.m.
A detailed circular floral design in silver with circles stitched in the center on a black background.

Family Workshop:  In the Shadows

Saturday, November 6, 2021, 2–4 p.m.
An adult and a child make art together at lap desks.

Toddler Studio:  Playing with Patterns

Saturday, November 6, 2021, 11 a.m.–noon
A toddler holds up a stick with art attached to a string.

Adult Workshop: Mixed-Media Compositions

Saturday, October 23, 2021, 1–4 p.m.
A detailed circular floral design in silver with circles stitched in the center on a black background.

Tea & Tours

Tuesdays, October 5, 12, and 19, 2021, 3-4:30 p.m.
A table with two Museum catalogues, a sculpture, and a tray with tea cups.

Paper Forum Reception with Anila Agha

Thursday, October 14, 2021, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
A brightly lit and suspended blue cube with laser cut shapes on all sides that cast intricate shadows on yellow walls.

Artist Talk: Anila Agha

Thursday, October 14, 2021, 6–7:30 p.m.
Artist Anila Agha working in her studio.

Second Thursdays at the Carter: Shadow & Shine

Thursday, October 14, 2021, 5–8 p.m.
Two people, one taking a photo with a smartphone, stand in front of an artwork.

Member Preview Days | Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair

Friday, September 24, 2021, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
A brightly lit and suspended blue cube with laser cut shapes on all sides that cast intricate shadows on yellow walls.

In the Press

"Anila Quayyum Agha ‘A Beautiful Despair’ At Amon Carter Museum Of American Art"

Forbes

October 18, 2021

From the Shop

Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair

An Amon Carter Book Arts exclusive!

Each publication is signed by the artist and numbered. With a limited edition of only 300 signed and numbered copies, this special publication is a work of art itself.

"A Beautiful Despair" exhibition catalogue cover.
All Exhibitions

Header Image Credit

Image: Anila Quayyum Agha (b. 1965), A Beautiful Despair (Cube), 2021, laser cut, lacquered steel turquoise, © Anila Agha

Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair is organized by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Support for the exhibition is provided by Entrada of Texas and the Ann L. & Carol Green Rhodes Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.