Written by: Muhammad Hamza
Posted on: September 20, 2024 | 
Fading Festivals (Detail 1)
The language that we use between spaces holds our comfort and belongings, yearning for the previous one. A series of artworks have been presented at the Khaas Gallery, Islamabad. It hosted Shameen Arshad and her profound experiences that encapsulate her memories, and exhibited a selection of her recent artworks.
Shameen has been working as a visual artist and has created tapestry art on cloth, using thread work. The glossy shine of the threads she employs for embellishments adds to the overall composition of the fabric. The elements that Shameen has used include kites and boats, along with architectural formations and large leaf plants.
Borrowed Waters (Detail 2)
She employs hand embroidery, fabric paint, acrylics and appliqué on velvet fabric. Such combinations create an immersive tapestry, with intricate loops, cross-stitch patterns and appliqué work, all contributing to the portrayal of kites and boats.
The imagery in the tapestry crafted by Shameen reflects her longing as she travels back and forth between the UK and Pakistan. Her experiences in these two cultures have made it difficult for her to grasp the norms and values of different elements.
August Tides (Detail 1)
Shameen states that the elements showcased in her work superimpose her identity onto one another, exploring themes of fragmented identities, transgenerational trauma, and haunting displacements. The displaced thought processes and the social class of these normalcies alter the maladaptive patterns often seen in social relationships.
In this artwork, boats are embellished onto the fabric, hovering over a sea of floral beds with golden leaves and pink lotus-like flowers. The intricate details in this piece evoke the sensation of flowing and floating over the surface of water, much like a lotus flower. No matter the hardships one faces, the lotus symbolizes resilience, allowing one to remain above the surface of longing nostalgia and memories. This piece embodies the belief that individuals can survive through contemporary challenges.
Where do the lotus grow (Detail 2)
This vibrant tapestry showcases a unique event that takes place in South Asian countries, particularly the kite-flying festival. It depicts the richness of our culture, where people gather to fly kites high above rural housing areas. Teens and adults participate in this joyous occasion, filling the sky with a colourful blend of kites soaring above city rooftops. This tapestry serves as a nostalgic experience, offering viewers a glimpse of their homeland’s memories: a soft, subtle moment of joy and a classic era, particularly in Pakistan, creating a delightful experience amidst the chaotic world.
"Floating Anchors" is a highlight of this exhibition, where an aerial visual has been intricately crafted with silver metallic paper and thread work on velvet fabric. It depicts the narrow streets of congested urban areas, where buildings are closely built to accommodate a growing population. We witness these narrow alleys filled with bustling businesses and people, all while maintaining a sense of vintage charm. The shiny silver metallic paper illustrates the intricate exteriors of these old neighbourhoods, complete with hanging door locks and steel-bar windows. This artwork serves as a map of sorts, resembling a maze we navigate through while maintaining our sanity. Perhaps the best way to keep moving forward is to stay vigilant for the light at the end of the tunnel, a silver lining amidst the bustling chaos.
Floating Anchors (Detail 2)
The blue hues and the floating bottle, traveling through seas, evoke a nostalgic concept: sending a message in a bottle into the unknown, hoping someone will find it. This raw act of pouring thoughts into something so simple is profound. In this piece, Shameen has painted a boat inside the bottle, a common decorative item in households, showcasing her skill in crafting a boat from such a tiny opening.
Clouds of Confinement (Detail 1)
Shameen connects the dots through her lifestyle, creating tapestry abstracts that showcase the unique blend of cultures and diverse lifestyles from both places she inhabits. It represents an indecisiveness in selecting a particular culture, an interesting aspect that is evident in her artworks.
She expresses, “I explore the detachment, longing and hiraeth for a homeland that exists only in our constructed memories. The works evoke both beauty and pain, underscoring the human desire to find meaning and place in an ever-shifting cultural landscape.”
The Plague II Detail 1)
Her artworks reveal the potential of being a connecting bridge between reality and fantasy. It is all a journey; we must navigate through whatever comes our way. Surfacing through deep waters and intricate narrow streets, we always find our way back home. Home is where the soul finds its peace, a journey of experience. Everyone plays their part in creating soulful moments for all the right reasons. In our lifetime, we seek out the best renditions, recognizing that the correctness of time is not in our hands. We believe, and we move forward.
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