By: Cassidy Dawn Graves
July 30, 2019
Fraaaandship!
Opening Thursday, August 1 at Richard Taittinger Gallery, 6 pm to 8 pm. On view through September 2.
This exhibition marks “desi-pop” artist Maria Qamar’s first solo show in the city, but you may have already seen her work on your phone—her Instagram, @hatecopy, has nearly 170,000 followers. Her work has also been praised by the likes of Mindy Kaling and has appeared on the walls and menus of various Indian restaurants, landing her a recent profile in Bon Appétit. Qamar’s art is reminiscent of a modern Lichtenstein or Warhol, using the bold and colorful norms of pop art to ruminate upon her identity as a South Asian woman, usually in a humorous and eye-catching fashion. Now, you have the chance to see her creations in a gallery setting, which explores friendship in all its iterations, from creepy men online to genuine pals in the real world.