This Pakistani artist’s desi girl illustrations are ridiculously relatable

24-year-old 'Pakistani Martha Stewart' creates art on experiences of a desi woman from a conservative family

KARACHI: Sahar Sohail, an aspiring physician and artist, has been gaining popularity on social media owing to her clever and at times downright hilarious illustrations on the experiences of a desi woman from a conservative family.

She drew inspiration from her own experiences, growing up in a conservative family. “I was not allowed to stay out late or sleep over at a friend’s house. I was always made fun of while growing up,” she said, while adding that she soon realised she was not the only one dealing with strict traditions and rules.



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“As I grew older, I realised it was not just me; there were plenty of other girls out there that faced the struggles I was confronted by,” she said while speaking to The Express Tribune. She decided to channel her stress into her artwork, using it to highlight the plight of a desi woman in the process.

“I thought that rather than sitting and being angry about it, I can find a better outlet to channel my feelings. So I decided to make it fun, on a lighter note,” she told The Express Tribune.

Another interesting fact, Sahar, who is a science graduate from Marymount University, goes with the moniker ‘Pakistani Martha Stewart’, which her friends started calling her.

Hailing from the Punjab, the 24-year-old artist juggles managing a business, creating artwork and studying science. "My friends compare me to the real Martha Stewart, who is a self-made businesswoman famous for her crafts and cooking among many other talents," she said, explaining the story being her pseudonym.



Sahar’s drawings are multi-layered with meanings that symbolise the contrast of the adopted social role of a desi women and the complex person underneath.
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“This allows different young women like me to find some solace in knowing they are not alone,” she said.

Her illustrations switch between Urdu and English – which works out since it gives them a more authentic feel.
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If you want to check out more of Sahar’s work, follow her on Tumblr or Instagram.

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