"This shifting coastal zone is a site where national authority can be asserted, contested and enforced. The armed conflicts in the 19th century between Western powers and China kickstarted a chain of events that weakened the latter's might, forcing the country to legalise opium, open treaty ports to Western merchants and cede Hong Kong to the British Empire."
"Sikander is best known for her contemporary take on South Asian miniatures, fusing Mughal and Islamic motifs with current and historical cultural references. Her work unfolds as a cinematic tableau composed of numerous drawings in ink and gouache, enlivening intricate imagery."
Shahzia Sikander's animated film, 3 to 12 Nautical Miles, examines the concept of territorial sovereignty, expanding from three to twelve nautical miles. The film uses the Opium Wars as a lens to explore the interconnected histories of China, South Asia, and the British East India Company. Sikander's artistic practice combines traditional South Asian miniatures with modern themes, employing labor-intensive hand-drawn animations. The work reflects on how national authority is asserted and contested in shifting coastal zones, highlighting the impact of historical conflicts on contemporary geopolitics.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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