Shahzia Sikander

Who is Shahzia Sikander?

Shahzia Sikander is a Pakistani-American artist who works in drawing, painting, animation, large-scale installation, performance and video. Sikander was traditionally taught the discipline of Indo-Persian miniature painting, where she studied at The National College of Lahore in Pakistan, earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1992. Sikander moved to the United States and attended the Rhode Island School of Art and Design, earning a Masters of Fine Arts in 1995.

Raised as a Muslim in Lahore, Pakistan, Shahzia Sikander explores the integration of Hindu and Muslim culture by combining allegories from both societies and exploring imagery that communicates the hybridity of her experiences including, her personal history, politics and sexuality. Religion is a significant element in her art as well as her personal life, as an artist and practicing Muslim. Sikander explores in particular, the role of Muslim women and challenges the view Westerners have of associating Islam only with terrorism and the oppression of women.

Sikander creates stimulating visual experiences for her audience through the addition of modern and non-traditional elements by forcing the viewer to reconcile conflicting sensibilities hidden within beautifully rendered landscapes as well as offering a wide range of stimuli from the traditional Muslim world to popular Western culture, such as mandalas, airplanes and cowboy boots and soccer balls.