Tic Tic

Exhibition Dates:   September 25 – December 11, 2026
Location: Connection Gallery, Building 18 (tunnel), NCRC
Artist: Lila Kadaj
Artist Reception:   5-7 pm Friday, September 25, 2026

Lila Kadaj received her MFA from Wayne State University. Her work has been shown at numerous institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Cranbrook Art Museum, and the Arab American National Museum. She spent nearly 27 years teaching art at Detroit Public Schools.

Artist statement

“When looking at a beautiful flower.  It’s just itself.  Just there...it does not proclaim its purpose for blooming is to make people happy. It just is. Like standing in front of an easel and painting........just is.......no matter......what proclamations may be concluded to sway the viewer. Same thing goes for fine art.  It’s not about I am a woman....it’s not about I am a first-generation Arab American.....it’s not about being a child of trauma....it’s not about a member of my family being gunned down on the street....it’s about being born a painter.....standing in front of my easel and working to create a "Piece of Fine Art". Not standing on some soapbox and expecting my words to somehow qualify my painting. It’s the painting, drawing or sculpture that must speak on its own.......on how the artist......via the intellect and muse uses the elements to create something distinct and first-rate.   It can be quiet or loud. I see so much very weak work uplifted not for its quality but because it’s in fashion.”