I am a visual artist, curator and educator of South Asian origin. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, I moved to the UK with my family at an early age and have lived in various regions across the UK all my life. I am proud to be a hybrid of both the Eastern and Western Cultures and draw upon both for inspiration for my work.
I trained as a fine artist but am interested in all arts disciplines especially craft, textiles and ceramics. One of my true passions is drawing. To me, most creative ideas start from a drawing, a doddle, a mark or a notation. But drawing as a discipline in its own right, is one of the most joyful ways to express an idea, an emotion or to capture something felt or observed.
I am inspired by the poetics of language, space, geometry and romantic synergy between eastern and western cultures – from traditions to contemporary interpretations. I am drawn to orderly structures, symmetry, pattern and repetition but also the chaos of disorder and asymmetry. I like simple things but also complex structures. I think it is fair to say, I find intrigue and fascination in many things. I adore the writings of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi and Gaston Bachelard and have often used excerpts in my own work.
My practice often responds to a theme, an idea or an invitation. I have also made participatory work at times, involving others in the process of making or contributing their ideas into the final works.
I collect objects as I am intrigued by collections and historical artefacts, often incorporating them into specific series of works. I like the idea of displacement and altering an objects identity, function or purpose and transforming it into something new through process and materials.