Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World

Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World is the first in-depth exploration of the contemporary practice of Bengali-American artist Rina Banerjee, co-organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (where it will be on view October 26, 2018 – April 07, 2019) and SJMA. Though Banerjee’s work has been shown extensively in Europe and South Asia, PAFA and SJMA will be the first North American museums to delve into the artist’s complex and fanciful worlds. Bringing together several of Banerjee’s monumental installations in conversation with 15 to 20 of her sculptures, as well as a selection of works on paper, Make Me a Summary of the World will transform PAFA and SJMA into otherworldly and multi-sensory spaces.

Known for her large-scale sculptures and installations made from materials sourced throughout the world, Banerjee’s works investigate the splintered experiences of identity, tradition, and culture, prevalent in diasporic communities. Using a variety of materials ranging from African tribal jewelry to colorful feathers, light bulbs, and Murano glass, Banerjee’s art celebrates diversity at the material level.

_{(Photo: Rina Banerjee, In the Darkest Blossom was a Mythical Beast, Mythical Island, Mythical Sea, 2013, Glass, steel, shells, feather, plastic, 16 × 25 feet)}