International Exhibition “Light of the Guiding Star” Explores How Magic, Memory, and Migration Shape the Search for Home
CAMDEN, N.J. – August 31, 2026: The Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts will present “Light of the Guiding Star” from Sept. 1 through Dec. 12, 2026, bringing together six international artists whose work explores what sustains people as they leave one home in search of another. Through sculpture, installation, painting, performance, textiles, photography, and video, the exhibition examines migration, displacement, and the search for belonging.
Participating artists include:
- Layo Bright, who was born in Nigeria and lives in the United States
- Gulnur Mukazhanova, who was born in Kazakhstan and lives in Germany
- Natalia Mejía Murillo, who was born in Colombia and lives in the United States, Spain, and Qatar
- Katya Muromtseva, who was born in Russia and lives in the United States,
- Bony Ramirez, who was born in the Dominican Republic and lives in the United States
- Yao Qingmei, who was born in China and lives in France.
Collectively, their work explores migration as more than movement across borders and reveals how stories, rituals, spiritual traditions, and memory guide people as they navigate change and imagine new forms of belonging.
Designed as an immersive journey, the exhibit guides visitors through three interconnected themes: Magical Landscapes, Rituals, and Transformation of Bodies. The exhibition moves from a fabricated environment evoking relocation, through proposed rituals and relics, to an exploration of the body’s transformation through migration. Alternating between illuminated spaces and darker corridors, the installation invites visitors to participate in a journey shaped by adaptation, resilience, and change, blending personal experiences with cultural histories and reimagining familiar symbols in new forms.
Guest-curated by Stass Shpanin, who was born in Azerbaijan and lives in the United States, the exhibit expands on the themes of the 2026 Venice Biennale, “Foreigners Everywhere,” offering a distinct perspective on migration through folklore, mythology, ritual, and the supernatural. The exhibition explores the emotional, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of displacement, considering how belief, inherited knowledge, and imagination can help people navigate uncertainty, adapt, and create new forms of belonging.
Presented by the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts, “Light of the Guiding Star” will be accompanied by free public programs throughout the fall. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Thursday, September 17, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Additional programming throughout the exhibition will include gallery talks, curated tours, hands-on creative workshops, and other opportunities for visitors to engage with the exhibition and its themes. Details can be found on the RCCA website. Admission is free and open to the public.
Located on the Rutgers University–Camden campus, the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts presents contemporary exhibitions and public programs that connect art with the social, cultural, and civic questions shaping our world. Through free exhibitions, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, RCCA serves audiences from Camden, South Jersey, the Philadelphia region, and beyond.
About Rutgers University–Camden
Ranked among the Top 50 public institutions by U.S. News & World Report and named one of Washington Monthly’s “25 Best-in-Class Colleges,” Rutgers University–Camden provides an exceptional environment for intellectual growth, community engagement, and student success.
Located in Camden, NJ’s “eds and meds” district, the campus sits within a city rich in cultural and historic attractions, a vibrant arts community, leading healthcare institutions, and global corporate headquarters that support internships and experiential learning. Recognized as one of the safest campuses in the region, Rutgers–Camden offers a welcoming environment for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, with easy access to Center City Philadelphia and the broader South Jersey region.
Home to approximately 6,000 students, Rutgers–Camden fosters a close-knit academic community while delivering the resources of a world-class research institution. The campus comprises four schools—the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Nursing, and the Law School—and is part of the Rutgers University system. Designated an R2 research university and recognized with the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, Rutgers–Camden is a national model for civically engaged urban institutions, contributing impactful scholarship and creative work on a global scale.
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