31 Jan, 2011

think global / act local

31 Jan, 2011

My Op-Ed appeared in the Houston Chronicle; the title I submitted – “think global / act local” – is a little different from the version that ran in print: No escaping violence in Pakistan—or US.

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09 Sep, 2010

Even people around the US debate…

Sehba Sarwar
09 Sep, 2010

poster by Designers United for a Cause Karachi (DUCK) Even people around the US debate about Pakistan, its history, its political struggles, and whether helping will increase US popularity in Pakistan, citizens in and around Pakistan have taken matters in their own hands and are working around the clock...

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31 Aug, 2010

Another Minal-ism:

Sehba Sarwar
31 Aug, 2010

On the drive to the house, I pick up my mobile. “I need to call my friend Liz,” I say, half to myself and half to Minal in the backseat. Always ready, she chimes in: “Liz who?” “I only have one friend named Liz,” I respond. “You used to...

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24 Aug, 2010

I’ve been on the other side…

Sehba Sarwar
24 Aug, 2010

I’ve been on the other side, the teacher setting up the classroom, decorating, greeting the kids, preparing for a semester. That was a long time ago. Today is my first day as a parent. We wake up at 6:30 am, get dressed, eat breakfast and are in her classroom...

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19 Aug, 2010

I don’t often watch mainstream news…

19 Aug, 2010

I don’t often watch mainstream news, but every now again when René turns it on and something catches my eyes, I sit down for a moment. Today, I’m reminded once again why I stay far from news outlets such as mainstream TV. As I walk by the family room,...

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17 Jun, 2010

It’s been many months since…

Sehba Sarwar
17 Jun, 2010

It’s been many months since I’ve posted anything on my blog. Given all the excitement at VBB, it’s been a challenge to carve out moments to be just still, let alone write. But today — as always – I’m inspired by Minal. As we drive back to our house...

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19 Apr, 2010

patti smith in houston!…

Sehba Sarwar
19 Apr, 2010

I first met Patti Smith in La Guardia Airport in 2003 when she was on her way to Houston to install her Strange Messenger exhibition and perform in a special concert. Once in Houston, I Interviewed her for KPFT Pacifica Radio 90.1 FM, and stayed in touch with her for...

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18 Mar, 2010

searching for an image…

Sehba Sarwar
18 Mar, 2010

photo of buraq on wooden chest; photograph by Minal While I visit art collector Anj Rana, Minal walks around her house and documents truck art that’s scattered around Anj’s home. But later, when I take the image to Mauripur and ask for something similar for the art car that...

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17 Mar, 2010

Exploring truck art in Mauripur, Karachi

Sehba Sarwar
17 Mar, 2010

Exploring truck art in Mauripur, Karachi — all for the purpose of dressing up the little red Honda hatchback for the art car parade.

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13 Mar, 2010

Dubai airport…

13 Mar, 2010

Dubai airport. I’d love to say that I’ll never fly through there again.                

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09 Mar, 2010

As always, the plane journey between…

Sehba Sarwar
09 Mar, 2010

As always, the plane journey between Houston and El Paso is short. Right at the end, a few minutes before landing, the airplane skids through a thick layer of clouds, making us hold on to our seats. And then, we land. As I wait outside the airport for Caro...

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27 Feb, 2010

I’ll be doing a reading and workshop…

Sehba Sarwar
27 Feb, 2010

I’ll be doing a reading and workshop on the border in El Paso, along with Michelle Otero. The event is being organized by my friends Carolina Monsivais and Rich Yañez. If you’re the area on International Women’s Day, March 8, do stop by.

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I was inspired to begin my blog when I visited the library at my alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, and saw a framed photograph of my friends and me calling for divestment of funds from South Africa.

In 2007,  I began a blog when I visited my alma mater and saw a framed photograph of my friends and me calling for divestment of funds from South Africa. I use the blog to document my movement between spaces, Houston, Karachi, Delhi, Dhaka, Los Angeles and elsewhere, recording observations, images and conversations. Here, I document the multiple realities that I inhabit – writer, artist, mother, activist, educator, and transnational. Interviews from my blog were exhibited at Houston’s Baker Ripley Community Center (2014) and at Houston Public Library in downtown (2015). My papers are archived at the University of Houston’s library.