The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness

The Paglees (“paglee” or “pagli” means crazy woman in a number of South Asian languages) is a feminist collective of artists of South Asian origin living across the United States.

The Paglees collective started during Covid lockdowns in 2020, when four of the group members, who had exhibited together previously, began to hold casual Zoom studio visits. In their debut exhibition, The Paglees investigate – with fierceness, beauty, and wit – the impact on women of generations of patriarchy, religion, white supremacy, colonialism, violence, capitalism, and environmental plunder.

The title of the exhibition derives from Rosa Parks’ words: “There is just so much hurt, disappointment and oppression one can take. The bubble of life grows larger. The line between reason and madness grows thinner.” (Rosa Parks: Writings, Notes and Statements (1956-58).

Featuring mixed-media works on paper, fabric, and canvas, sculpture, performance, photography, installation, and moving image, The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness, questions and reframes the labeling of non-conforming women as crazy and the marginalization of immigrant women of color. This group exhibition presents new decolonial narratives that center the reason and wisdom of brown women of the Global South and Diaspora, and provide pathways to a creative feminist future. The Paglees believe in working in collaboration with other marginalized communities to build bridges and demand social, environmental, and legal justice for all.

Fawzia Khan | Indrani Nayar-Gall | Monica Jahan Bose | Nirmal Raja | Pallavi Sharma | Renluka Maharaj | Shelly Bahl

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

South Asia Institute, 1925 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States