GREENWICH, CT.- Dramatic shadows, intricate designs and thought-provoking themes are now immersing visitors at the Bruce Museum. On view Feb. 3-April 21, “Anila Quayyum Agha: Dualities” showcases 10 works by the internationally recognized artist, from intimate embroidered drawings to her iconic large-scale light installations that shift and respond to each new visitor in the space.

“I encountered Agha’s work in person six years ago, and that experience stays with me to this day,” said Robert Wolterstorff, the Susan E. Lynch executive director and CEO of the Bruce. “Her work is utterly captivating, enthralling, enveloping. Then you discover the underlying themes of differences bridged and dualities brought together. By casting a mesh of light and shadow across walls and people, her work implicates all the beholders, uniting them in one experience. These are total works of art that grab your body and mind. I’m thrilled to have them at the Bruce, so we can offer that experience to our visitors.”

The exhibition at the Bruce centers around dualities that exist in Agha’s work. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, the multidisciplinary artist takes inspiration from her own dual experiences as a Pakistani American woman. Perceived cultural differences and similarities are further examined through Agha’s exploration of binaries such as masculine and feminine, public and private, religious and secular and inclusion and exclusion. Her conceptual works merge Eastern and Western ideas, drawing from patterns inspired by nature to geometric shapes of Islamic architecture.

“Working on a monumental scale, Agha creates visually stunning and highly immersive installations that engage dynamic light, pattern and color,” said Margarita Karasoulas, curator of art at the Bruce Museum. “But her work is also multilayered and nuanced in meaning, often inviting deeper reflection on the complexities of contemporary society. Among her many themes are the boundaries and perceived commonalities and differences across cultures. She not only examines that critical point of intersection but also aims to bridge cultural divides. We hope visitors can see themselves reflected in Agha’s work, united through a sense of shared belonging, empathy and understanding.”

“Dualities” is anchored by three large-scale sculptural installations composed of laser-cut steel, each illuminated to cast shimmering patterns of light and shadow on every surface of the gallery, creating an immersive and hypnotic experience for visitors. The floor-based work “This is NOT a Refuge! 2” evokes the visual idea of a shelter while also serving as commentary on the immigrant experience.

“This piece was a response to how the United States used to be a beacon of light and can be again; a place where one could find freedom and achieve upward mobility, both of which I myself found,” said Agha. “But in recent times, witnessing displaced people who are coming to our borders and being rejected made me realize that finding refuge can be a mirage for many. I think art can give visibility to subjects such as the politics of migration and displacement, to incite dialogue.”

Unlikely combinations are presented both conceptually and physically, such as cutting delicate lace-like motifs into heavy steel. “My Secret Garden,” a triangular three-sided pyramid shaped sculpture suspended from the ceiling, is lit from within and juxtaposes modern materials with historical patterns to project a rich tapestry throughout the gallery. The artist describes it as “a nudge to human advancement and civilization with a desire to encourage respect and value for human life in spite of one’s station or reach.” The multipiece sculpture “Itinerant Shadows” invites meditation on themes of space and belonging through four intricately designed wall-mounted steel cubes.

A selection of works on paper complements the light installations and highlight the intersectional nature of Agha’s artistic practice. Exploring the barriers of gender, the meticulous mixed media works incorporate embroidery, handmade paper, beadwork and collage, referencing craft practices traditionally associated with women and the domestic sphere.

“Anila Quayyum Agha: Dualities” is organized by the Bruce Museum. The exhibition is curated by Margarita Karasoulas, curator of art at the Bruce.