Saira Wasim
// Artist & PainterSAIRA WASIM is a visual artist, from Lahore, Pakistan, now based in California. Wasim’s small size paintings are executed in a rigorous traditional style yet extremely powerful. She subtly expresses her desire for political and social reform. Saira Wasim obtained her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan. She has exhibited her works world-wide. Her solo exhibitions include “To define is to Limit” at Hong Kong Arts Center 2013, “Epic Miniatures” at Ameringer & Yohe Fine Arts, New York, 2008; “Political Carousel” at South Western University, Texas, 2005. Among the group exhibitions, “American Effect” at Whitney Museum, New York. “Karkhana: A Contemporary Collaboration” at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and “Realms of Intimacy” at Contemporary Art Center Cincinnati, United States.
Website: www.sairawasim.com
Photo: Haroon Chaudhry
Interview:
My art practice is like a therapeutic meditation. The six to eight hours in my studio soothes me and gives me great relaxation; I also get connected to my spiritual side as well. People get tired in their nine to five jobs; they indulge themselves in shopping, spas, transforming their outward appearances, possession of riches, and even then, they don’t find inner peace and satisfaction. Nothing gives me joy and pleasure like painting something special or exploring great art pieces from other artists. I take my daily chores or ‘to do list’ as a creative experience, and put all the hues and cues into action. I also try to cultivate in my kids, whatever you do, even if you find it very ‘boring’, try to connect with your inner creativity, then you’ll enjoy each and every part of the process. This will increase your happiness, productivity, and success more than you could possibly imagine.
The social and political changes in the world have always been accompanied by dramatic shifts in the international art world. Artists investigate contemporary, sensitive, and taboo issues of their societies. They address and involve communities in order to create change in their societies. Art preserves traditions, values, and contributes to our cultural survival. These play an integral part in toppling dictatorships and corrupt governments; they depict what the media hides. As artists, we spend days and nights in our studios working in the realm of ideas, to communicate through our artistic languages to be part of a positive change.
Music, food, art, and every kind of creative expression break cultural and social boundaries. These all play a pivotal role in erasing cross cultural misunderstandings and prejudices; they unite and transform cultures to bring them together. I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahori/Punjabi food, music, and folk art has been a blend of different cultures for centuries. Pakistan and India mostly share the same cultural and social values, before the partition of 1947 when they were one country. We have the same language, food, music, and artistic traditions. However, the media of each country has always portrayed the other as their enemies, and the government of each nation has always kept us in constant rivalry. After sixty years of a cold war between both nations, people have realized that the real culprit was the “Hate” not the neighbor. So I strongly believe that music and every kind of artistic activity can transcend boundaries to bring people towards peace and harmony.
“Art preserves traditions, values, and contributes to our cultural survival.”
– Saira Wasim, Artist & Painter
