Kota Khan is a Black, lesbian, and non-binary Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and cultural worker based in New York. With a focus on digital media, sculpture, and textiles, Khan explores themes of antiblackness, queer necropolitics, and christofascism. They have invaluable knowledge in theatrical design and technical production, with recent roles at Smith Street Stage and as a set designer for Hunter College Theatre.
Khan’s work has been exhibited at All Street NYC Gallery, Brooklyn YAS, and Arts Gowanus, and they have been featured in So To Speak Journal. Currently, Khan is a Gallery and Production intern at CUE Art Foundation, where they work on curatorial and exhibition design. They recently assisted with the exhibition This Fire That Warms Us by Tsohil Bhatia.
Influenced by Afrofuturism and transfeminism, Khan’s art engages with the complexities of trauma and healing, particularly within marginalized communities. By intertwining personal narratives with broader social commentary, they aim to illuminate the experiences of those often rendered invisible. Through their art, Khan seeks to foster community engagement and dialogue, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and envision a radical future. Read the full artist statement here.
Education
Hunter College, BA Studio Art
University of Pittsburgh, BS Psychology
Fireborn Studios, Ceramics
Experience
Gallery and Productions Intern Cue Art Foundation, 2024
The Kingdom Hunter Theatre, 2024 | Set Designer
King Richard II Smith Street Stage, 2024 | Tech member
Love’s Labour’s Lost Smith Street Stage, 2024 | Tech member
A Thurber Carnival Cheltenham High School, 2017 | Student Director
Twelfth Night Cheltenham High School, 2016 | Stage Manager
Don’t Drink the Water Cheltenham High School, 2015 | Stage manager
Inherit the Wind Cheltenham High School, 2014 | Stage Manager
Social Media Manager RICE Food Distro, 2020 - 2023 | Graphic Designer
Technical Expert Apple, Inc., 2018 - 2021 | ACiT Certified
Digital illustrator 2015 - Present | Freelance
Textile Artist 2022 - Present | Freelance, Fiber Art Weavers
Exhibitions & Publications
Queer Knowing, All Street Gallery, New York, NY
Group Art Showcase, Brooklyn YAS, Brooklyn, NY
Together We Will..., Arts Gowanus, New York, NY
Amethyst Exhibit, Envision Arts, Dallas, TX
Metamorphosis, Black Violet Revue, New York, NY
language + intersectionality + art, So to Speak Journal, Fairfax, VA
Life and Death, Gallerium Art, New York, NY
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office Suite
Procreate
SketchUp
Email + Social Media Campaigns
Technical documentation
Sculpture
Set Design
Props management
Wig design
