Nepalese artist IMAGINE (a.k.a. Sneha Shrestha) presents a temporary public art installation that celebrates and takes inspiration from the diverse Himalayan cultures in Jackson Heights, Queens.
About a Living Culture is a NYC DOT Art Community Commission in partnership with the Rubin. Community Commissions is a signature NYC DOT Art initiative in which the agency collaborates with community-based organizations to commission artists to design and install temporary public art on NYC DOT infrastructure citywide.
The installation is on view at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights through September 13, 2026.
My work speaks to the living culture of the Himalayan diaspora and the resilience of traditions that live far beyond museum walls. We are living, breathing people who practice this culture every day, and this is what it looks like now. At the heart of my practice is the belief that cultures across the world are not static, but resilient and evolving, with roots in centuries-old traditions that continue to shape how we find community today. –IMAGINE (a.k.a. Sneha Shrestha)
To see a full list of supporters for About a Living Culture, visit the exhibition page.
IMAGINE (a.k.a. Sneha Shrestha) is a Nepali artist who incorporates her native language and the aesthetics of Sanskrit scriptures into her work. Her art has been featured in several exhibitions, and her public walls appear across the world from Kathmandu to Boston. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquired her painting Home416, making her the first contemporary Nepali artist to be part of the museum’s collection. She is a recipient of the 2025 James and Audrey Foster Prize and her work will be presented at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, beginning August 25, 2025. Sneha Shrestha received her master’s degree from Harvard University.
Michelle Bennett Simorella is director of global projects and collections at the Rubin Museum, bringing two decades of museum experience and leading collaborative projects. Working in Kathmandu, Nepal, for several years expanded her knowledge of art and practices in the region. Michelle has degrees in art history and nonprofit management.
Diversity Plaza
Jackson Heights, NYC
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