Artist Statement:

Being a Trained Miniaturist from National College of Arts,Lahore my work revolves around the visual representation of ‘Zikr’ * - which on a strictly personal level is my everyday practice. It may not necessarily involve the recitation of a sacred word or even the traditional systematic approach yet it acts as a pacifier and helps me in acquiring peace and tranquility. The repetition of a single word behaves like an ostinato with variation and development that creates a strange sense of relief of being heard.
In order to achieve the purity of expression, I have been delving with geometric, organic and abstract forms involving meditation and altered states of consciousness accordingly leading to self realization. The work involves a minute text which is implemented in ink repeatedly laced onto the surfaces. In this effort, the aim is to invoke a meditative visual experience, resulting in an ethereal oeuvre which is about presence, experience and subtlety of method. I prefer these works to be viewed as a journey to search the intangible and invisible within and beyond us and spreading to infinity.

_{* Remembrance - an Islamic devotional act, typically involving the recitation—mostly silently i.e. Zikr-bil-Qalb or even verbally i.e. Zikr-bil-Lisaan—of the Names of God, and of supplications taken from hadith texts and Qur’anic verses.}

Areas of Interest:

Fusion of Refinement and Experimentation via:

• Focus on the beauty of the Permanent shining through the Transient.
• Study of spiritual principles through geometric, organic and abstract forms involving meditation.
• Blurred frontier between sculpture and painting - 3D figures floating in space.
• Relationship b/w perception, immaterial form, spatial, sensorial effect and perennialism.
• Neo-miniature painting - traditional tech. with a synthesis of new insights into the social relevance of imperial Mughal art.
• Investigating popular Visual Vernacular of Pakistan.
• Preservation, management and uplifting of the Traditional Arts and Cultural Heritage.
• Pedagogy of Cultural studies and History of Art and Architecture.

Research Projects:
• Ethnographic Analysis of Qawwali at Sufi Shrines
• Research Associate for an Exhibition of the 50 years celebration of IAP (Institute of Architects, Pakistan).
• Designer & trainer for Women empowerment through Crafts in South Punjab, a UNESCO–Norway Funded Project culminating as a Craft Exhibition, “Connecting people through Craft", Lok Virsa Museum, Isd.
• “Establishment of a Craft Village for the Conservation and Rejuvenation of the dying Arts & Crafts of Sahiwal and Multan,Pakistan' A proj. for the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC).

International Exhibitions:

1. 2018 - ‘Resurgence’, A Collateral Event to Lahore Biennale 01 – Group show at Ejaz Gallery Lahore.
2. 2018 - ‘Living Tradition’ , An Exhibition in Collaboration with the Prince’s Foundation of Traditional Arts,London;showcasing the works of PSTA Scholars at VM Centre, Karachi
3. 2017 - The Imago Mundi Project, White Turban collaborating with Luciano Benetton Foundation, on the Imago Mundi Project for Pakistan. The work became part of an Art Publication pr printed by Fabrica, Exhibitions in Italy (including the Imago Mundi Pavilion at the Venice Biennale), and the Luciano Benetton 'Imago Mundi' Collection.
4. 2011 - International Exhibition of Drawings, titled as “Drawing Connections” at Sienna Art Institute, Italy.

Exhibitions in Pakistan:

1. 2018 - ‘Resurgence’, A Collateral Event to Lahore Biennale 01 – Group show at Ejaz Gallery Lahore.
2. 2016 - Calligraphy show titled ‘Alif’ at Ejaz Art Gallery, Lhr
3. 2016 - Group show ‘Revelations’ at Art Scene Gallery, Karachi
4. 2015 - Travelling Group show ‘Revelations’ at Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore
5. 2015 - Group show ‘Built In’ at Alhamrah Art Gallery,Lhr
6. 2015 - MA (Hons.) Degree Show at Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery, NCA.
7. 2014 - Group Show “Silence Please” at Nairang Art Gallery, Lhr.
8. 2014 - Group Show of Women Artists of Pakistan at Tollington Market, Lhr
9. 2012 - Alhamra’s 8th Annual Exhibition of Paintings, ‘Day After Tomorrow’.
10. 2012 - Group show of Women Artists from Pakistan at World Women’s Day,Alhamra Art Gallery.
11. 2010 - Designer of Leather and Palm-leaf products, in an Exhibition of women handicrafts, titled as: “Connecting people through Crafts”, held at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, Islamabad. A UNESCO-NORWAY Funded Project for the empowerment of Women through crafts.
12. 2010 Participated in a faculty group show of Artists from COMSATS, Lahore.
13. 2009 Participated in an Architectural Research Exhibition titled as ‘Introspection: Quest for Reason’,held at 50 yrs celebration of IAP.
14. 2008 Participated in Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition held at NCA, Lahore.
15. 2007 Participated in a painting display by the Creative Department at ICI Paints, Lhr.
16. 2006 Participated in a Faculty Group Show at “Z.U.A Gallery N.C.A”.
17. 2004 Participated in a Faculty Group Show “Scope X” at “Gallery N.C.A”.
18. 2003 Participated in a Group Sow at “IJAZ ART GALLERY”, Lahore.
19. 2001 Participation in Group Show at “CANVAS ART GALLERY”, Karachi.
20. 2001 Participated in Group Show at “CO-OPERA ART GALLERY”, Lahore.
21. 2001 Group Show of Miniatures at “ROHTAS GALLERY”, Islamabad.
22. 2000 Thesis Exhibition of Miniature Paintings, at N.C.A.
23. 1998 Participated in 125 years celebrations, “A show of Miniatures” at “Gallery N.C.A”.
24. 1997 Group Show of “Sculpture in Wood” at AL-HAMRAH ART GALLERY, Lahore.