Henna Night II / Shabe Kheena II

Vancouver’s Iranian Visual Arts (VIVA) Alliance announces the launch of a new venue, Medias Res Gallery, with the opening of an inaugural exhibition by Hangama Amiri. Henna Night II / Shabe Keena II, on view from March 27– May 2, 2025, marks the artist’s first solo exhibition in British Columbia. The 1,800-square-foot gallery in Railtown is the new programming hub for VIVA Alliance and a platform for diverse communities to connect. Shabe Kheena/Henna Night features a new large-scale commission and selected works from Amiri’s ongoing series by the same name, comprised of intricately sewn textile wall hangings that depict scenes from a traditional Afghan pre-wedding ceremony, in which the bride’s loved ones prepare her for the big day. Amiri works primarily with textiles to explore themes of home, gender, social norms, and the impact of geopolitical conflict on women’s lives, particularly in Afghanistan and its diaspora.