Saira Wasim is a contemporary artist from
Lahore,
Pakistan. She currently lives in
United States. Wasim uses the miniature style of painting, pioneered by the Persians but extensively used in
South Asia, to make primarily political and cultural art. Wasim's art has been shown in a number of museums including the
Whitney Museum of American Art,
Brooklyn Museum of Art, and
Asian Art Museum.
Biography
Wasim went to
National College of Arts (in Lahore), from where she graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts with focus in miniature painting in 1999. Dawn art critic Ali Adil Khan describes her as part of "magnificent seven" along with Muhammed Imran Qureshi,
Tazeen Qayyum
Tazeen Qayyum is a Pakistani-Canadian conceptual artist working in a variety of media including miniature painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, and video. Her work explores issues of identity, immigration, socio-political conflict, and her Mus ...
, Aisha Khalid, Talha Rathore, Nusra Latif Qureshi, and Reeta Saeed- who brought back miniatures
Artistic approach
Wasim draws Persian Miniatures to make devastating political commentary.
Wasim has stated:
"My work uses the contemporary miniature form to explore social and political issues that divide the modern world. This series, Battle for Hearts and Minds, illustrates the clash between imperialism in the west and fundamentalism in the east, and questions the underlying motivations and uneasy alliances that keep this conflict going. My work offers a voice against this ignorance and prejudice. It pleas for social justice, respect, and tolerance through the use of caricature and satire."
''
The New York Times'' describes her work as "exquisite political cartoons that conjure
William Hogarth and sometimes borrow directly from
Norman Rockwell."
References
External links
Official websiteBBC article on Saira Wasim and Hasnat MehmoodShort biography - Australian National UniversityProfile on Saira Wasim's Art*
ttps://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E5D61431F937A3575AC0A9639C8B63 Review of Karkhana exhibition by NY TimesInterview with Saira Wasim detailing early years, family, influences
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wasim, Saira
1975 births
Living people
National College of Arts alumni
Pakistani contemporary artists
Pakistani painters
Pakistani Ahmadis
Pakistani emigrants to the United States
Artists from Lahore
Pakistani women artists
Pakistani artists