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
PHOTO: Saher Sohail
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.
Young artists: Group show features exquisite artwork
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnX-_NgLEN/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJZQIRbgI5p/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
“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.
29-year-old artist hopes to encourage mosaic art
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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ1kFJrAWSO/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
“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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJeJiJxgxLk/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJTtTokgFd4/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
If you want to check out more of Sahar’s work, follow her on Tumblr or Instagram.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
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.
Young artists: Group show features exquisite artwork
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnX-_NgLEN/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJZQIRbgI5p/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
“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.
29-year-old artist hopes to encourage mosaic art
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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ1kFJrAWSO/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
“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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJeJiJxgxLk/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJTtTokgFd4/?taken-by=thepakistanimarthastewart
If you want to check out more of Sahar’s work, follow her on Tumblr or Instagram.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.