The tactility of objects, fabric, and hand stitching, have a universal language with a power to convey our immediate realities, our wishes, desires and our complexity.
I know drag to be a craft accessible to those who accept and understand the nuances of bodies, the way they hold themselves, like water, sometimes in harmony and often in chaos. Drag becomes the deliberate attempt at a discourse that disrupts the norms set in patriarchal, capitalist societies. The workshop will combine desire with the need for dissent, we will ask for your participation in creating selves that are unbound by shackles that we ourselves are familiar with. These bodies will withstand more than what we are often capable of, we will use our own old clothes to create these selves, into puppets or dolls.
Sarah Naqvi (they/them)
Sarah Naqvi, is an Indian artist, based in Mumbai/ Amsterdam. Their work engages in narratives themed around religious and societal polarisation, centring art as their tool for activism. The materiality and techniques in their work are at play to create familiarity with the viewer, with satire, whimsical props, and softness you are made to believe something joyous awaits. Once these thematics are established and make one comfortable, the visuals are then layered with confronting truths scripted based on prominent sociopolitical developments in their environment. Primarily working with textile, embroidery, songs, found objects, and performance, they have developed a keen interest in puppetry and stop-motion. The usage of these mediums has been intentional, as they continue to challenge visibility amongst ‘domestic’ art and reach audiences beyond the art world.
You can find more information about Sarah here.
If you are queer and have a refugee background, you can participate in this workshop for free. Please contact Fabian Holle on Facebook, Instagram or via e-mail (
DEFIANCE DOLLS, with Sarah Naqvi
Sunday, 13 March 2022 - 13:00h
Framer Framed
Oranje-Vrijstaatkade 71
1093 KS Amsterdam
