Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA: Preetika Rajgariah’s solo show at Louisiana Tech delves into heritage, identity, and cultural memory through innovative use of repurposed materials.
Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design Galleries recently unveiled 'Perpetual Practice,' a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary Indian-American artist Preetika Rajgariah.
The exhibition, which opened on October 14 and will run until December 9 at the TVAC Galleries on campus, kicked off with an artist talk followed by a reception.
Rajgariah’s art reflects her lived experiences as a queer, brown immigrant living in the American South, exploring topics such as feminism, intersectionality, cultural appropriation, and the search for belonging.
Since 2019, she has primarily worked with repurposed yoga mats—materials she considers emblematic of mass production and cultural erasure—to create layered paintings and collage pieces
Incorporating second-hand and donated fabrics, including sari textiles passed down from her family and community members, Rajgariah combines personal narratives with broader global textile histories to examine themes of identity, cultural exchange, and globalisation.
“My work investigates the many layers of my identity—as an immigrant, as a brown woman, as an American Southerner, and as a queer individual,” Rajgariah told the university’s press office.
“By using unconventional materials, I approach art-making as a form of meditation while confronting oppressive systems, uplifting marginalised voices, and fostering healing, wellness, and accessibility,” she added.
Rajgariah has showcased her work at prominent venues, including Asia Society Texas, Untitled Art Fair Miami, and Art League Houston, and has participated in residencies at the Houston Contemporary Craft Centre, Vermont Studio Centre, and the Golden Foundation. She is also a recipient of the 2021 Artadia Award and a grant from the Idea Fund.
The 'Perpetual Practice' exhibition reinforces Louisiana Tech’s dedication to highlighting diverse contemporary perspectives in the arts.
