Notes to Self.

Don’t smoke, kids.

From a longer caption on my Instagram: “A few months ago, a mixed-race friend of mine said, “I don’t see color. I live in a world where it doesn’t matter”. I knew where he was coming from; I could appreciate it. But whether or not you see race- race sees you. Race differences themselves are not the problem- they are what gives different cultures their flavor. But if you see those differences as inferior, as a threat- that is when you need to take stock of which side of history you are choosing to be on. Why are there children in cages in America today? Would this be a reality had the people trying to enter America been white? I’m quite aware that I am not less than anyone for being born a Pakistani Muslim woman- my question is, why are people on the other side not aware?”

Educate your daughters so they can make their own money; don’t set them up to be dependent on someone else. This releases men from the pressure of being the sole earner in a household, and gives women the confidence to think and act for themselves. This emancipation that comes from being financially independent cuts across class, cuts across age, cuts across gender. I know it is easier said than done, but don’t wait for someone else to hand you your life. Anything worth having in this life- independence, freedom, dignity- has to be worked for, fought for. Fight for it!

I was honored to be invited to the Oslo Freedom Forum and to draw a mural in honor of Syrian activist Raed Fares. Raed was a speaker at this forum last year. This year he was killed by extremists. He was killed because his work mattered. Inspired by the beauty of Syrian art and nature, this artwork is dedicated to the hope that characterized Fares' life- the full Arabic in these 3 posts reads, "The revolution is an idea- and an idea cannot be killed"- a saying Raed was fond of. . #oslofreedomforum #raedfares #syria#OsloFF #RaedFaresMemorial

The transformation of patriarchy to equality. 

In South Asia in particular, the idea of personal freedom often clashes with cultural, religious and parental beliefs. Inspired by Kathmundu and the Buddhist art around the city, I drew a woman grounded by her roots but with wings that will take her beyond the confines of her land. It is a reminder to question the status quo and know that our destiny is determined by the choices we make.

Posters for the women’s march due to be held on Women’s Day (8th March 2019) in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. 

Posters for the women’s march due to be held on Women’s Day (8th March 2019) in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. 

Posters for the women’s march due to be held on Women’s Day (8th March 2019) in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. 

Barbara Kruger's words, "Your Body is a Battleground", often come to mind as I navigate the many connotations that come with having a woman's body. In response, here's the note I wrote to get my thoughts in order: “Can You Not Take Up So Much Space? I" Anything you do with your woman’s body is a political act. Where I live, women’s bodies are fiercely policed. What you wear is a societal, patriarchal, moral decision. What you are allowed to do with your woman’s body is already decided and you are conditioned to show as little of yourself as possible. A woman who attracts the least attention to herself is a pious woman. So, can you not take up so much space? . -My piece for the 1x1 exhibition in Islamabad, Pakistan. Digital artwork, 12"×12"

Barbara Kruger's words, "Your Body is a Battleground", often come to mind as I navigate the many connotations that come with having a woman's body. Based on my recent travels, here's the note I wrote to get my thoughts in order: “Can You Not Take Up So Much Space? II" In the West, you are lured with the promise of your bodily autonomy. Here, what you wear is matter of self expression; except- when you don’t conform to what the body type for such expression looks like. What you should be doing with your woman’s body is already decided- and you are conditioned to conform to narrow, Eurocentric, patriarchal perceptions of beauty. A woman who attracts the right kind of attention to her right kind of body is a desirable woman. So, can you not take up so much space? . -My piece for the 1x1 exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan Digital artwork, 12"×12"

An illustration I did for the @nytimes ! Iranian women scored a victory this World Cup- they were finally allowed to watch a televised game in a stadium in Tehran after 40 years of being kept out! Personally I'm shocked that I didn't even know any of this, and reading about how they protested against it and seeing pictures of beautiful beaming women in the stands just makes me wonder why do women have to protest for the most common human enjoyments? These ladies are the ray of sunshine in the midst mostly terrible world news!

Meesha Shafi, Pakistani performer and all-round badass in her 4 personas!💥💥💥 

“Women in Tech: Inspiration, no Fairy Tales”- the stories of trailblazing women hailing from mostly Africa and South Asia that need to be heard! These portraits were super fun to draw, not only did I learn about the trials and triumphs of these women and what they've achieved in the technology field and their society at large, I also got to play with the patterns and motifs from their cultures! -Book published for @bmz_bund in collaboration with the good folks at Bunny Island. 

In response to women stepping forward with their stories around the Me Too movement in Pakistan, Nighat Dad- lawyer, activist and all-round badass- is soon to be launching a platform. Nighat asked if I could contribute and here's a torch bearing sisterhood leading the way. Details to be shared soon!