‘In, At and Around’ by Soraya Sikander

"When one looks at Soraya Sikander’s work, one feels that might be experiencing the secrets of the cosmos. Soraya’s mixed media work has an elegant sense of rhythm and pattern reminiscent of Persian and Indian miniatures, these offer us the opportunity to pleasure in the harmonies of the visual. There is a sense in the work of this young artist that she is most certainly mastering her media, whilst simultaneously furthering the infrastructure on which to continue to develop as an artist. Here is a young artist whose joy in experiencing the world informs her vision and who promises much." (Professor Gerda Roper, Dean School of Arts and Media, University of Teesside)

Soraya Sikander with her work / Courtesy of the Artist

Soraya Sikander / Landscape with black trees into calligraphy, 36x36 in, acrylic on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist

Soraya Sikander / Memories of Hampstead, 48x36 in, acrylic on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist

"Soraya Sikander is an aspiring young artist, well known in Karachi not only for her art, but also for the active involvement in the myriad art programmes and exhibitions arranged at the family run Unicorn Gallery, Karachi." (Marjorie Husain, a Karachi based art critic and author)

"With an extensive experience of art study to her credit, Soraya enjoys recording her views and opinions of the world around her. Her interesting background of art study includes one year in Karachi spent at the at the IVSAA, before obtaining admission at the Beaconhouse University, Lahore in 2005. After Graduating in 2008, she began to participate in group shows at the Unicorn Gallery as well as London, Dubai, Bangladesh and Singapore.

In London she studied sculpture at the Slade School of Art. In the current solo exhibition of her work, the artist exhibits some of her global impressions, and one is aware that the work of an, as yet, youthful artist at the start of her career is freely variable with a fresh handling of space and textural aspects.

Discovering the diverse, imposing architecture of London in 2012, the artist carried a sketch book around with her in which she would capture outlines of her surroundings. These impressions were taken back to her studio and developed into paintings that appeared to examine an inner perception that resolved the work. Examining the artist’s language of colour and architecture inspired by capital cities she has lived and studied in, one finds there are no inhabitants to distract from the structural focus of tall, dominating buildings. The bright colouration of these paintings, interestingly suggest the artist’s intention to dispel the sense of alienation that might have emerged from the unfamiliar grandeur of the scene." (Marjorie Husain, a Karachi based art critic and author)

Soraya Sikander / Urban Landscape, 47,5x30 in, acrylic on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist

Soraya Sikander / Citylife London by night, 12x16 in, acrylic on canvas / Courtesy of the Artist

"Also included in the exhibition are paintings of abstract floral designs. The linear importance of the overall effect installs discipline into the freely painted, bright spaces.

Soraya is an artist who is obviously enjoying the experience of experimentation with diverse media including oil on canvas, acrylic on paper, charcoal and gouache of paper. Much of her work appears to project a fascination with man’s restructuring of the landscape on various levels. Her deep interest in third dimensional objects has resulted in the emergence of several contemporary pieces, created with varied objects. These artworks are described with brevity of form and one suspects, the beginning of a new and broader way of working on explicit themes." (Marjorie Husain, a Karachi based art critic and author)

From the opening of the exhibition:

From the exhibition 'In, At and Around' / Courtesy of the Artist

Soraya Sikander with her work / Courtesy of the Artist

From the exhibition 'In, At and Around' / Courtesy of the Artist

"An artist ought to be different in his or her approach to creating moods of colours and images on canvas to be recognised and given a place in the line-up of known artists. Being different means taking a different approach to defining oneself when creative urges come into play in the mixing of colours, drawing lines and creating shapes. This augurs well for the flow of the artist’s thoughts. It is in this sense that Soraya Sikander is carving out a different path to travel forward in the world of art." (Mohsin Jafri, a writer)