When Taissir Abdelgadir moved from Sudan to Iowa in 2016, she began building a new life far from home. That experience of transition and community inspired the artist’s batik painting “Moving II,” which she created in 2018.
Now a non-traditional student in Kirkwood Community College’s Digital Arts program, Taissir’s “Moving II” is featured in “Weaving Narratives: African Textiles in Iowa” at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art.
The exhibition explores African textile traditions while amplifying the voices of African communities living in eastern Iowa. Through written materials and video interviews, the exhibition brings together historic textiles from the museum’s collection alongside contemporary voices from the local African diaspora.
Organized by Dr. Cory Gundlach, curator of African art at the Stanley Museum and director of the University of Iowa’s African Studies Program, and Dr. Peju Layiwola, Mellon Curatorial Fellow at the museum, the project included collaboration with members of Iowa City’s African community: Dr. Anne Kiche, professor of Global Health Studies and chair of the African Communities Network of Iowa; Dr. Sunday Goshit, professor of International Studies and chair of Iowa City’s Africa Fest; and Walla Osman, a member of Sudanese American Community Services INC – Iowa.
“That collaboration opened the exhibit stories from those who live in our community, deepening the connection between the art and the creators who chose to make Iowa their home,” Peju said.
By bringing together historic textiles, contemporary works, and community voices, the exhibition reveals how textiles function not only as artistic objects but also as powerful carriers of culture, memory, and identity.
For Taissir, that connection comes through her chosen medium: batik.
Batik is an ancient technique that requires patience and precision. Artists apply hot wax to fabric using a pen-like tool called a canting or a stamped cap, then dye the fabric in layers to build complex patterns.
This process mirrors the themes in “Moving II” — movement, resilience, and community.
Taissir’s piece depicts Sudanese women draped in colorful toubs, a traditional garment worn both in everyday life and ceremonial occasions. The women move together in a large group; their backs turned to the viewer as they journey toward a shared destination.
The scene symbolizes unity and collective strength among women, a theme Taissir says reflects both Sudanese culture and her experience finding community in Iowa.
“It is good for women to support each other,” she said. “When I came to Iowa, I found a lot of women who cared for and supported me as I settled into my new home.”
“Moving II” also holds a connection to her home country. A companion piece, “Moving I,” remains in Sudan.
“Weaving Narratives: African Textiles in Iowa” is on view at the Stanley Museum of Art through April 19, 2026. Taissir’s work will also appear in the 2026 edition of “The Cedar Valley Divide,” Kirkwood’s literary magazine.