RuAfza (b. Siddhant Talwar) is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Brooklyn, specializing in drag performance and visual arts. As a queer immigrant from India, their work explores themes of gender, immigration, and consumption, often utilizing technical forms such as lenticular imagery and immersive installations.
RuAfza's practice aims to balance artistic innovation with accessibility, creating work that resonates emotionally even when viewers lack the vocabulary to articulate their experience. Their art combines humor with introspection, drawing from a background in community organizing and collaborations with labor unions in India.
Ruafza holds a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in New Media from Tufts University where she graduated Magna cum Laude with thesis honors.
Their work has been exhibited at various galleries and institutions, including Tisch Library, Polykhroma, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. RuAfza's pieces are held in the collections of The W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Library, Tisch Library, and private collectors.
She has produced shows at 3 dollar bill, C’mon Everbody, Herbert Von King Cultural Center and more.
RuAfza's practice aims to balance artistic innovation with accessibility, creating work that resonates emotionally even when viewers lack the vocabulary to articulate their experience. Their art combines humor with introspection, drawing from a background in community organizing and collaborations with labor unions in India.
Ruafza holds a BFA in Studio Art and a BA in New Media from Tufts University where she graduated Magna cum Laude with thesis honors.
Their work has been exhibited at various galleries and institutions, including Tisch Library, Polykhroma, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. RuAfza's pieces are held in the collections of The W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Library, Tisch Library, and private collectors.
She has produced shows at 3 dollar bill, C’mon Everbody, Herbert Von King Cultural Center and more.
press links
NYC's Boldest Theater Performers and Creators, in Photos - PAPER Magazine
Instagram Held a Private Meeting With Artists About Its Nudity Policies (hyperallergic.com)
Your Post Has Been Deleted – Censorship on Instagram | Vogue Italia
40 under 40 - Paavani Ojha 7 Siddhant Talwar (edexlive.com)
published writing and photos :
Linda Simpson, the Historian of Queer New York - PAPER Magazine
Untitle Is Slowing Down Fashion with Kalamkari - PAPER Magazine
A Night For SOPHIE, and For All of Us | The Brooklyn Rail
Interview With Diet Sabya, Anonymous Indian Fashion Instagram - PAPER Magazine
Meet the Indian Textile Artist Behind Imli Dana - PAPER Magazine
Siddhant Talwar - Featured Contributer - DIRTY
Selected Exhibitions
2023 Group Exhibition, ‘Print and Paper’ SMFA, Boston, MA
2023 Group Exhibition, ‘Blossom’ Club Cafe, Boston, MA
2022 Group Exhibition, ‘DRAGISTAN’ Aidekman Theatre, Boston, MA
2022 Group Exhibition, ‘Dirty’, Chaterjee and Lal, Mumbai, India
2022 Group Exhibition, ‘If you draw a line, it could be the ground’ Anderson Gallery, TUAG, Boston, MA
2021 Group Exhibition, ‘ARWAH’ Democracy center,San Francisco, CA
2021 Solo Exhibition, ‘Why are we all so sad?” The W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Library, Boston, MA
2021 Group Exhibition, SAPAC Annual SymposiumMedford, MA
2020 Group Exhibition, ‘Allure’, Polykhroma, Medford, MA
2020 Group Exhibition, Combined Degree Exhibition, Tisch Library, Boston, MA
2020 Group Exhibition, SMFA Annual Photo Show, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
2019 Group Exhibition, Keeping The Candle, Boston, MA
2019 Featured Artist, SAPAC Annual Symposium, Medford, MA
2019 Group Exhibition, SMFA Annual Photo Show, School of the Museum of Fine, Boston, MA
2018 Group Exhibition, Connectivity, RSM Art Gallery, Boston, MA
Arts, Boston, MA
Art Collected By
The W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. Library, Boston, MA
Tisch Library, Medford, MA
Ed Kinsella, Private Collection
Awards
The Molly Glynn Summer Theatre Award, 2022