Hello… I’m Nadia
I am a Pakistani-British interdisciplinary artist based in London. My work explores the relationship between architecture and its infrastructure, the ever-changing urban landscape, the magnificent lights of cities at night, the stars above us, and the complexities of human relationships.
My story of becoming an artist is an interesting one! At least, from my point of view…
It is a story shaped by my parents’ separation and by growing up surrounded by family members of different ages and generations. In my early years, I was raised by my great-grandmother, followed by a young and somewhat naïve stepmother alongside other relatives.
The house where I spent my early years stood on two hectares of land, surrounded by trees of all kinds, as well as an abundance of plants and flowers. And yet, this world of bliss was situated right in the middle of a big, bustling city. I was fortunate enough to experience the best of both worlds!
I spent a lot of time playing outdoors, regardless of the weather — sunshine, rain, storms, and everything in between. At night, I would listen to my great grandmother’s bedtime stories, which unfolded over many nights. They were adventures of brave princes rescuing princesses from powerful genies, stories that carried me into worlds far beyond my own.
The uninterrupted time I spent in nature, the slow unfolding of my great grandmother’s stories, and the long summer holidays spent with different relatives in different cities all played a part in shaping my imagination. I was mostly a listener and an observer, absorbing the world around me, and continuous, unfinished stories of survival and adventure sparked my imagination. Gradually, I found my own way of retelling stories, not through words, but through colours, different mediums, and materials.
Today, printmaking, oil paints, water-based mediums, and a variety of other materials connect the different bodies of my work. Although the subjects and directions may change, the central thread remains rooted in the act of feeling and looking, imagination and observation. I am drawn to the things we overlook, and the connections we make with the spaces we inhabit and the people we encounter.
My paintings are a continuation of those early experiences, an ongoing exploration, one that often leads my work in unexpected directions.
