RIYADH: Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar's captivating works are marked by bright colors and surreal 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 she was 8 years old. She spent her formative years in the capital, attending Manarat Riyadh International School. She left the Kingdom at 18 to attend university in Canada and has since returned.
The work of Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar, who lives in Riyadh, is defined by her life in Saudi Arabia, and some works focus on the problems faced by women and girls in society. (Included / Adam's Studio)
“I grew up here with people of different cultures. However, I often did not see families from different cultures interacting with each other. At school, South Asians and Arabs interacted with each other, but I didn't see it published in the media.
“I felt that our communities outside of school were completely divided. This led me to create cross-cultural work. To present the experience of South Asians in the Middle East.'
HIGHLIGHTS
• Zainab Anwar, 24, was born in Pakistan and moved to Saudi Arabia when she was 8 years old.
• She spent her formative years in the capital, attending Manarat Riyadh International School.
• Bright and colorful backgrounds inspired by Pakistani truck art are Anwar's artistic signature.
Anwar began her creative career by portraying Pakistani women in various settings.
“Later on, I started painting dark-skinned and hairy women because I felt those were the characteristics that brown-haired women were shamed for. I've seen girls at school bully each other for beauty standards, both Arab and South Asian.'
The work of Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar, who lives in Riyadh, is defined by her life in Saudi Arabia, and some works focus on the problems faced by women and girls in society. (Included / Adam's Studio)
Art was an outlet for her during her mental health struggles.
“Later, I started using surrealist art to depict difficult feelings and experiences related to depression and anxiety. Growing up with mental health stigma, it took me years to understand these emotions. And making art on it helped me deal with those feelings.”
The work of Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar, who lives in Riyadh, is defined by her life in Saudi Arabia, and some works focus on the problems faced by women and girls in society. (Included / Adam's Studio)
She added: “I believe art can help shed light on difficult matters and also bring a sense of peace to people suffering from such social issues and mental illness.
“I found it difficult for society to deal with issues that all women and girls face, such as sexual harassment and unrealistic standards of beauty.”
The work of Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar, who lives in Riyadh, is defined by her life in Saudi Arabia, and some works focus on the problems faced by women and girls in society. (Included / Adam's Studio)
Bright and colorful backgrounds are Anwar's artistic signature. “The main source of inspiration for the colors I use in my paintings is Pakistani culture,” she said.
“The art form used by truck drivers in Pakistan is called truck art. Truck drivers decorate their trucks with bright, contrasting colors to draw attention to them. I've been drawn to these trucks since I was young, and I think that's what led me to use bright colors in my work.”
The work of Pakistani artist Zainab Anwar, who lives in Riyadh, is defined by her life in Saudi Arabia, and some works focus on the problems faced by women and girls in society. (Included / Adam's Studio)
Anwar's portfolio showcases the experimental use of various mediums including ink, pencil, photography and traditional art forms such as embroidery. Now she prefers to use acrylic paints for her works.
Although she portrays aspects of South Asian and Arab culture, Anwar says women tend to relate to her art regardless of where they are from. “They can understand many of the universal experiences of women that I portray in my work. People also value cross-cultural work and see it as a reflection of the society we live in.”
Anwar says she tries to capture the full range of human experience in her work, including joy and sadness, which are “important to society for both the artist and the viewer.”
