Trained in traditional miniature painting, I have developed a mixed-media practice that focuses on themes of topophilia—an inherent connection to places and environments. As I transition from one location to another, I am deeply drawn to the emotive and sensory qualities each place holds. My work documents these experiences by creating compositions and altering perspectives, resulting in imaginary ‘mind palaces' layered with personal reflections - interpreting through watercolour, gouache, ink, paper and mainly graphite on wasli.
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This three-part traveling exhibition series, showcased at Alliance Française in Islamabad and Lahore, as well as Sanat Initiative in Karachi, features artworks created during my residency at DRAW International—Center for Drawing Research. Located in the picturesque town of Caylus in southern France, the residency was kindly hosted by John and Grete McNorton and generously supported by the French Embassy in Islamabad.
During the residency, my focus shifted from interior domestic spaces to the medieval architecture of the commune’s exteriors. I explored its geometry, textures, and cultural elements through observational drawings and pigments extracted from local stones. The vibrant, government-regulated windows, contrasting with the stone buildings, became a key focus, adding layers of narrative to the visual landscape.
My process included drawing, photo transfer, and printmaking, deconstructing the townscape into
basic geometric elements and creating a visual language through the interplay of lines and shapes inspired by its unique architectural features. In my printmaking experiments, I repurposed domestic objects, further examining the relationship between space and material.
Post-residency, I have continued to develop these themes by blending visuals from Caylus with elements of my hometown, Hyderabad. This ongoing work reflects an engagement with Caylus’s essence while drawing on my cultural heritage.
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