The phrase, ‘Separation’s Geography,’ comes from Kashmiri-American poet Agha Shahid Ali’s By the Waters of the Sind, in which he dwells on the physicality of separation, as well as the inevitable union of nations that share an ancestry. Such is the fate of India and Pakistan — two nations divided by artificial borders and yet, eternally united in their history and culture.

Shahid Ali was once stopped at the Barcelona Airport by a security guard who asked if he was carrying anything that could be dangerous to other passengers. At this, he famously clapped a hand to his chest and cried: “Only my heart.” His response is a fitting summary of this project; even as we traverse physical and temporal boundaries, we carry intangible jigsaw pieces of our home in our hearts.

These pieces, often unbeknownst to us, find their way into our expressions, aspirations and lived experiences. Separation’s Geography was our way of uncovering these pieces and finding common threads between voices separated by geography, but not by feelings or intent. Over the course of one year, artists on both sides of the border exchanged stories, ideas and memories, weaving them together into collaborative art projects that reflect their shared understanding of home and separation.

Separation’s Geography is our loving and audacious attempt to open new channels of connection and communication between Pakistan and India. When politics becomes rife with hateful rhetoric and divisiveness, we often turn to artists and writers to create a space of peaceful dialogue. However, in recent years, we have seen even artists, filmmakers, actors and musicians partake in this disappointing vitriol. This, combined with the political standoffs and media wars that have come to characterise Pak-India relations, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, brought many challenges and setbacks. In spite of this, the artists managed to create a generative space for creating art that transcends borders.

Originally envisioned as a physical exhibition that would simultaneously open in Karachi and Delhi, Separation’s Geography has acquired a new virtual avatar — hopefully one that will travel far and wide, and make new homes in the hearts and lives of people. This website will remain live until August 2023, but we hope these collaborations will continue developing and taking on different forms.

— Fahad Naveed, Hira Khan, Onaiza Drabu and Prachi Jha

Editorial team, Separation’s Geography