Written by: Sana Shahid
Posted on: January 17, 2024 | 
| 中文
Like a rolling stone
Music and art have co-existed for centuries where one is a playful composition of words and the other is one of color. In this vibrant world of art, where colors, poetry, and expressions collide to tell stories, Samiya Mahir Sheikh stands out as a unique artist composing her creative magic. Her work is quite distinctive as she takes inspiration from the poetic realm of Bob Dylan's lyrics, translating the soulful melodies into visual masterpieces.
Visions of Johanna
Bob Dylan’s poetry seems to be comforting for the artist to bravely deal with the feelings of uncertainty and indecisiveness. As people say, what is bound to happen will happen, no matter what. The lyrical title, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, reassures Sheikh and puts at ease the intangible battle of questioning and hesitation raging inside the artist’s mind. All the exhibited artworks at Line Green have been assigned poetic titles that resonate with all types of people. This indicates that the artist has delved deeper into Bob Dylan’s music and seamlessly connected it to her artistic expression.
She belongs to me - part I
Sheikh has created her own playful universe with the help of somewhat abstract and mysterious figurative paintings. Her style of work takes a bold approach that can be considered a reminder of the cubist movement’s anatomical forms. The distorted anatomy of the protagonists creates a feeling of distress due to their facial expressions, exaggerated proportions, and repetitive strokes. These elements combine together to sketch the struggles that Sheikh deals with and ends up embracing.
Mr. Tambourine Man
Each artwork features a distinctive figure that demonstrates the surreal imagination of the artist. Subjects such as abstract bodies and mutated animals dominate her compositions to the point that there is not much breathing space, making the figures seemingly jump out of the canvases. The eyes add character to the compositions, as they seem to be conveying a feeling of disappointment and longing. Without them, all you’re left with are just figures and abstract elements paired up on a canvas. While her imagery portrays uncertainty, there’s also a level of freedom in the carefree flow of the lines that Sheikh is not shy to show to the world. The incorporation of neon colours and popping brush strokes give life to the characters being showcased, reminding viewers of psychedelic, dream-like states.
Where are you tonight
The artist’s inspiration comes from everyday societal behaviour and the intricacies of human nature. She talks about the differences between what is perceived and what is experienced, leading to visual pieces that are familiar and yet mentally stimulating. Her work Mama, you been on my mind is an example of this. This witty title suggests a beautiful woman waking up in the morning and looking at herself in the mirror. But instead of a face, the artist has painted the portrait of a dog which is a satirical commentary on the whole scenario. This imagery reflects a scene where the woman asks about her worth after a broken relationship. The dog is dressed up in a female’s attire and has a price tag of $14.750 which again raises the question regarding the worthiness of a lost love. Sheikh has used parrot green and brown in this composition which are known to be organic colors. In this context, however, they represent a very materialistic approach.
Mama, you been on my mind
Another of her works, Like a rolling stone, tells the story of a man who’s got thick features while his pose suggests that he’s lying on a flat surface with a feeling of despair in his eyes. One of the eyes seems to be slightly bigger than the other, with a few green lines coming out of it, suggesting a teardrop falling onto his cheek. However, the lyrics associated with this piece highlight the impact of indecision and delusions on a person. Mississippi is a piece that seems to talk about coming back from a regrettable decision. The figure has both hands on its face, with the eyes having the emotions of remorse and disbelief. Using contrasting purple and red colors alongside broken lines, the artist has created a sense of trembling that the subject is experiencing. Although the red color suggests a clothing material, it also acts as a warning of something uncontrollable coming this way.
Mississippi
Samiya Mahir Sheikh embraces indecisiveness, which is usually viewed rather negatively in the society. This is an important debate that she has started, as globally youth is faced with such issues. The show is open until the 26th of January.
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