Aliya Yousuf ’s sculptures explore human sensibility and the ever-changing fabric of society. Her understanding of three-dimensional art has made her one of the leading creators in Pakistan. As a hybrid medium painter, Yousuf prefers to be called a ceramist. Her portfolio is made up of painting, photography, and sculpture, and her works are a must-see for those interested in contemporary 3D art. Born in Karachi in 1973, Aliya Yousuf received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) in 2003 and completed her post-graduate diploma in photography from IVS in 2011. She has participated in several residencies and held many group and solo shows in Pakistan, Canada, South Korea, and the UK. She is currently working as a faculty at IVS. In a conversation with The Express Tribune, Yousuf shares the artistic challenges of working in three dimensions while describing her fascination with sculpture and other art forms.
STF: Does creating sculptures help you evolve new ideas and thoughts within you?
AY: Yes, of course. My clay work gives me immense satisfaction and confidence to develop new style of sculptures. When I start shaping an object, I think a lot about its cultural value. My sculptures evoke new ideas and meaning about life. [The meaning] varies from time to time depending on the context of culture and social acceptance. It is a kind of suggestion I receive from every individual pieces. I have to muse to myself, rethink, invent, cultivate, and craft again and again to find the desired meaning. It really works and refines my creativity.
STF: Your art theme is little off beat. What exactly do you search for with your sculptures?
AY: My works are based on aesthetics. I search for the sublime by exploring beauty in the ordinary. I am deep [into exploring our] socio-cultural surroundings. I classify things depending on the context of culture and social acceptance.
STF: What inspires you to shape up your sculptures?
AY: My works are harmonized with nature. I have always taken inspiration from nature, flora, fauna, and the shapes I borrow from leaves, and flowers, specifically from roses, sunflower, daisy, and thorns. These natural elements are fused in my emotion and have helped me [document] everyday experiences in life. I have a firm grip over the materials I work with. Understanding their responses helps me blend the elements and mold and shape my art.
It has also led me to develop my interest into traditional and nontraditional materials.
When an object has logic on its own, it starts to talk of many other things. It’s not that it represents anything, but it represents its own reason to exist, in a way, as a material—as clay, with many things, and the body. Then it’s representing the movement that makes the shape.
STF: What was your first clay work?
AY: I used the primitive method to sculpt my first clay art. I used hands to roll, shape, and smooth that piece. I was inspired by flora and fauna, and it was a lifetime experience. It actually developed my sense of understanding [for] the medium -- its condition, and behavior in certain situations.
STF: There are other mediums too, but why you selected ceramics?
AY: I wanted to explore the traditional methods of the subcontinent. It is the basic ceramic technique based on [the] four-theme method of earth, water, fire, and air. I was in search of a classic creative process that involved creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools. Common hand building techniques are coil and slab building. I examine physical and formal characteristics of clay by processing and alteration.
STF: What is your view on the subcontinent’s figurative sculpture?
AY: Figurative art in this subcontinent is largely influenced by [the] Indus valley civilization. Multiple ancient sites have been discovered in Pakistan. Because of those influences, both the artists and admirers have developed a common understanding that sculpture is a figurative art. However, Mughal miniature paintings are also figurative, representing daily life of [the] emperor’s court. Further, religious factors also plays a role how we look at the figurative art. I believe sculptural form could be anything that could be held, touched, and experienced by engaging all five human senses.
STF: Tell me about your medium. How do you color your sculptures?
AY: I have worked in various mediums. But ceramic is my power. I work with clay as my medium for my sculptures. My pieces are for visual notes rather than containers or utensils. I use oxide to color my artworks. These are ceramic colors and it is called stain. I don't glaze my work. I do glazing only to enhance the color and shine. Burnishing makes my sculpture smooth and shiny.
STF: Is there any unique equipment in your studio?
AY: I use [a] band wheel to view my works from all sides. For coiling, I don't have any specifics tools. My hands are my major tools. I roll clay with my hands and determine [the] thickness of strings and then join those by applying clay slips. Clay slip is made of [the] same clay. I use simple and ordinary things –like forks to create texture, dental care tools or anything else to obtain required surface.
STF: Are you a ceramist or a sculptor?
AY: I don't create functional objects or ceramic utensils. I call myself a ceramic sculptor. You can also call me a clay artist.
STF: What is your priority while creating art?
AY: I try to prioritize red clay as my main medium because of its easy availability in Sindh. Potters over the years have worked [with] limited prospects. They have worked on how red clay can be used to create durable potteries or other similar objects. Yet we can experiment with its manifold potentials. I really want to change the perception. I have created many fragile and delicate looking art pieces. But actually, those are durable and resilient.
STF: You are a painter too. Can you tell me about your shift from painting to sculpting?
AY: Yes, I am a painter too. My creative practice has shifted dramatically over the past years. I have done paintings in hybrid mediums, have worked in multiple mediums. Starting from pencil sketches to Islamic designs, I have created many geometrical designs and floral patterns. As the time crept by, my passion shifted to sculpting. It is sustainable and it really serves my passion. I am reinventing my creative practice with a focus on human life. I [find] my inspiration from natural elements.
STF: Do you have a studio?
AY: Currently I have a studio at the school. This is the first studio I ever [had] with a door I can close. Working in the close-door seclusion has been an amazing experience. Here I can pour my attention and emotion [into the] object I am working on.
The writer is a Karachi based journalist. She can be reached at shaziatasneemf@yahoo.com