RIYADH: Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's compelling work is marked by vibrant colors and surrealist depictions of South Asian and Arab cultures, with a focus on addressing the challenges faced by women and girls in society.
Anwar, 24, was born in Pakistan and moved to Saudi Arabia when he was 8 years old. He spent his school years in the capital, attending Manarat Riyadh International School. He left the Kingdom at the age of 18 to attend university in Canada, then returned.
Riyadh-based Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's work is shaped by life in Saudi Arabia, with some works focusing on the challenges faced by women and girls in society. (Death/Adam Studio)
“I grew up here with people from different cultures. However, I often did not see families from different cultures interacting. At school, South Asians and Arabs talk to each other but I don't see any representation of that in the media.
“I feel like our community outside of school is completely separate. This is why I created a cross-cultural work. To represent the experiences of South Asians in the Middle East.”
HIGHlamp
• Zainab Anwar, 24, was born in Pakistan and moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 8 years old.
• He spent his school years in the capital, attending Manarat Riyadh International School.
• Anwar's artistic signature is bright and colorful carpets inspired by Pakistani truck art.
Anwar began his artistic journey by portraying Pakistani women in various contexts.
“Later I started drawing black and brown women because I felt that these were shameful characteristics of brown women. I saw girls at school fighting over such beauty, both Arab and South Asian women.”
Riyadh-based Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's work is shaped by life in Saudi Arabia, with some works focusing on the challenges faced by women and girls in society. (Death/Adam Studio)
Art was dedicated to him during the time he was dealing with health problems.
“Later, I started using surrealist art to express my feelings and my experiences with depression and anxiety. Growing up with mental health stigma, it took me years to understand these feelings. And making art about it helped me deal with such feelings. “
Riyadh-based Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's work is shaped by life in Saudi Arabia, with some works focusing on the challenges faced by women and girls in society. (Death/Adam Studio)
He added: “I believe that art can help solve difficult problems and also bring peace to people suffering from social problems and mental illness.
“I see how hard it is for society to deal with the experiences that all women and girls face, such as sexual harassment and unrealistic beauty standards.”
Riyadh-based Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's work is shaped by life in Saudi Arabia, with some works focusing on the challenges faced by women and girls in society. (Death/Adam Studio)
Bright and colorful backgrounds are Anwar's artistic signature. “Pakistani culture is the main source of inspiration for the colors I use in my paintings,” he says.
“Truck art is an art form used by truck drivers in Pakistan. Truck drivers decorate their trucks with bright and contrasting colors to draw attention to them. I've been fascinated by these trucks since I was a child and I believe that's what led me to use bright colors in my work. “
Riyadh-based Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's work is shaped by life in Saudi Arabia, with some works focusing on the challenges faced by women and girls in society. (Death/Adam Studio)
Anwar's portfolio shows the experimental use of various mediums including ink, pencil, drawing, and traditional arts such as embroidery. His current preference is to use acrylic paints in his work.
Although she represents aspects of South Asian and Arab culture, Anwar says that women of all backgrounds tend to connect with her art. “They can get the many world experiences of being a woman that I show in my work. People also appreciate cross-cultural work and see it as a reflection of our community.”
Anwar says he tries to capture the whole human experience in his work, including the joys and sorrows that are “important to society, both for the artist and the viewer.”
