Aneesah Rahmaan

Kicks and Culture

The Batesville Area Arts Council is pleased to present Kicks and Culture, an exhibition by Aneesah Rahmaan, from October 7 - November 21. Join us Friday, November 14, for a gallery reception from 5-7 p.m. and a brief artist talk at 6 p.m. This exhibition is sponsored by UACCB.

Artist Statement

Kicks and Culture is a visual exploration of the deep connection between sneakers and African American culture. This exhibition will reflect cultural elements, emphasizing components that contribute to and blend African American culture—highlighting the richness, diversity, and influence that define it.

The collection centers on three major movements: The Jordan Empire, Sneakers + Sports, and Sneakers + Fashion. These themes represent key moments where footwear intersects with identity, athleticism, and style. The artworks were created to induce memories, spark conversation, and celebrate a culture that has continually shaped global trends.

I use bold color and expressive lines to emphasize emotion and movement—drawing attention to the personal and cultural stories embedded in each image. This body of work is not only about honoring history, but also about taking viewers on a stroll down memory lane.

Biography

Aneesah Rahmaan is a Little Rock-based artist, who has been creating art in one aspect or another throughout the majority of her life. She is a UALR graduate with an undergraduate and master’s degree. She currently works as a Programs Director and Interim Curator for the Arts and Science Center. Her identity stems from all the experiences in her life both good and bad and by all portions of her culture, heritage, and traditions. She often uses her family as inspiration, and a great degree of her portraits are likenesses of them.

Rahmaan is currently represented at The ARTSpace on Main in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Her art has been exhibited all over Arkansas including Brandon House Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Lyon College, and INTERFORM. She is a former art teacher at Mohammed Schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has been featured in several magazines and papers including: in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, The Idle Class Magazine, and Women's United Art Movement Magazine.