Ramadan
20
10
04
By JessicaBarrow
TheArabAmericanNews
I
n North Carolina, community based
artist Todd Drake has begunworking
withMuslims, helping themtocreate
self-portraits that share reflections of
themselveswith the audience.
The project, sponsored by the Center
for Global Initiatives in North Carolina,
involves photos, collages, and self-drawn
portraits, coupled with short essays and
sometimes audio to add context.
Drake, who is notMuslim, started the
project in response to what he saw as a
lack of knowledge among the general
population that leads to fear when it
comes todealing withMuslims.
"I realized that my world was being
shaped by the news. Itwas coming tome
and everyone else. There were stories of
9-11 and our reaction of invading Iraq. I
felt my world was being transformed by
theseeventsand then I realized I knewno
Muslims myself."
Although he considers himself to be
open-minded, Drake still had fearswhen
it came to approaching Muslims in his
community about the project.
"I challengedmyself togooverthiswall
of fearthatwasbuilding. Iwonderedwhat
theMuslimswere like inmycommunity,"
hesaid. "Asanartist I alwaysopenmyart-
making to the influence of others and I
always found a shared humanity. I won-
deredwould I find that shared humanity
or were Muslims so different… a kind of
monolithic otherness."
There was also the wonder of how he
would be received in the community.
Drakewas familiarwith someof the hos-
tility that Muslims in his community en-
dured.
"I am a non-Muslim myself. A white
male from the middle class. I have heard
stories of outright hostility toward the
Muslim community. Students have
sharedstorieswithmeof going toaChris-
tian service and hearing the preacher say
to children 'aren’t you glad that you
weren’t bornMuslim?'"
So it was with a bit of fear that Drake
entered the community. But his fears
were vanquished quickly.
"When I went in the community I
found nothing like what I had heard. It
shaped how I felt about the religion; I
foundout I have toknowtheparticipants
of the religion. You can go toWikipedia,
but until you know someonewho is par-
ticipating in that religion, you don't see
thepriorities theyplace. I foundpriorities
of Muslims that were totally stereotype-
busting." Drake, though, doesn'twanthis
goal to be confused. He is simply provid-
ing a vehicle for Muslims to give views of
themselves.
"This isn't my interpretation of Islam.
I amnotheretodoanythingotherthanto
give them an opportunity to share who
they are. They have an opportunity to
speakdirectlytothecommunity. I amnot
trying to be an interpreter for Islam."
Drake iscurrentlyanartist inresidence
at the University of North Carolina's
Chapel Hill'sCenterforGlobal Initiatives.
He began working with the center as a
2004-2005 Rockefeller fellow. He began
theproject threeyears ago, believing that
it would only take six months to com-
plete. He was surprised at how it took
extra time as he got to know his subjects
inordertofind theright imageforhispar-
ticipants.
Most of Drake's participants were by
word-of-mouth reference, but he would
sometimesgo tomosquesor Islamiccen-
ters after service on Fridays. Once he
found someone who wanted to partici-
pate he would meet and talk about the
goals of the project and see if the person
had a subject they felt strongly about.
"It was a kind of relaxed approach. At
everymosque I went to therewas a lot of
enthusiasm."
"Most were non-artists, and they
would say 'this is great but I don' know
what todo,'" Drakesaid. "Wewouldwork
collaboratively on the design and image.
Then I would ask for an essay or series of
quotes to give content for the images, so
that people don't misinterpret the sym-
bolism. Art is a wonder vehicle for com-
munication but it can be confusing if
someone is not familiar with the visual
language."
Many of the images are small shots of
theparticipantwith symbols ordrawings
that convey their feeling as an American
Muslim.
"One gentleman wanted to be pho-
tographed wearing a Superman t-shirt. I
asked what was the meaning, and he ex-
plained how he overcame racism and
poverty because of what his faith gave
him and he felt like a superman. He had
a lotof angerthat Islamhelpedhimcome
to termswith."
Those who participate also use the
projectasanavenue toshowthat theyare
members of the community and show
their support for it; whether it was the
AmericanMuslimwhogavea 1.5million-
dollar building to the chamber of com-
mercewhen they needed a newoffice, or
the pizzeriaownerwho fed the homeless
for 20 years.
"These are contributions that people
haven't heard of because they are more
interested inthenewestsuicidebombing
story," Drake said "This show ismeant to
get people to think. One of my sayings is
that 'you know the headlines, but do you
knowaMuslim?' A lotof Americansdon't
knowaMuslimpersonally."
At the end of Ramadan this year on
September 11, during Eid ElFitr, the show
will move to North Carolina A&T. Drake
considers this a challenging exhibition,
becausealthough thecampus hasaMus-
limstudentpopulation, it ismostlyChris-
tian and does not have aMuslimstudent
union.
Theportrait is not limited to residents
of NorthCarolina, andDrakehopes to in-
clude other American Muslims in the
show.
"Wearegoing todoa showat theUni-
versity of Indiana and in Washington
stateat theiruniversity. I hope to tour the
nationover 2 years. Anyonewhowants to
participate is welcome to send work for
consideration," Drake said, "I’m not here
to represent your religion. I am here to
helpyou represent yourself."
Anyone wishing to participate can
visit the exhibition's website at
learn
more about the project and contact
ToddDrake to participate
.
Artist from North Carolina
provides avenue for
American Muslims to
combat stereotypes
Drake: "I’m not here to represent your
religion. I am here to help you represent
yourself."
Most of Drake's participants were by word-of-
mouth reference, but he would sometimes go to
mosques or Islamic centers after service on Fridays.
