Karachi’s World Culture Festival: Swedish muralist Domi Forrest brings myth-inspired art to city

Swedish mural artist Domi Forrest has brought her unique fusion of mythology, nature, and human connection to Pakistan, where she is creating two large-scale murals for the World Culture Festival in Karachi.

“This is my first time working with assistants, as I usually travel and paint alone,” she told The Express Tribune, smiling as she looked over her unfinished sketches.

On her first visit to Pakistan, Forrest described her experience as “an amazing one full of positive energy and kindness”.

“I work with symbolism,” she explained. “The Viking boat represents strength, the bear paws stand for safety and masculinity, while the fetus reminds us of our origin, that we all come from the womb. The eyes, for me, are a window to the soul”.

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Despite the exhaustion from travel, the Swedish artist says she is thoroughly enjoying Pakistani culture, especially its food. “I love Palak Paneer! I’ve had it before in Sweden and India, but it’s so much spicier here,” she said with a laugh.

“When people gather with good intentions, the energy of the earth rises,” she said. “If we take care of each other through love and art, we also take care of nature, children, and the future”.

As her brushes sweep across the wall, Forrest’s work is steadily transforming into a visual narrative of unity and emotion, a mural that speaks not only of creativity but also of shared humanity.