Gallery

I am Unglish

‘I make my art to clarify my identity, to confirm it is okay to be muddled, to be part of two separate clashing cultures, and to celebrate myself, as a British Pakistani woman. As the daughter of Pakistani immigrant parents I have loved the rich heritage and diversity I have grown up with. I am so thankful for it – my paintings are a celebration of it.  We grew up with both Urdu and English languages spoken at home and often spoke a hybrid, Unglish. I think the word best describes my identity – I am Unglish.’


The Floods

In July 2010 Pakistan was shaken with extreme floods across the country with devastating impacts. I felt this image of a Pakistani truck serving as a pillar of strength and form of transport, even when half submerged in water, showed the resilience of the people – and I had to paint it.

The Floods

 


Sweet Shop

South Asian mithai sweets are displayed in delightful patterns in shop windows; this sweetness is carried onto the street, and into your home. No happy occasion goes ungarnished by these colourful treats.

sweet-shop


My Unglish Parents

My Pakistani parents enjoying their honeymoon in the Lake District, totally unaware that they would be migrating to the UK just a few years later. Their three children were to have an identity muddled and mixed to create the Unglish hybrid.

my-unglish-parents


Afghan Cuisine

A scene from wilmslow road, better known as the ‘curry mile’ – shining bright in the dark night are two restaurants with their bold neon lights. An example of how cultures from across the world are united on this legendary road in Manchester.

afghan-cuisine


RoohAfzah & Ribena

Two sugary drinks found in my kitchen, one very Pakistani and one British. I compare their similarities and differences alongside each other. It seems they’re not so dissimilar.

roohafza-and-ribena


Bazaar

A depiction of a bustling market street in Pakistan. A familiar sight on visits to Lahore during our family holidays; the pungent smells, beeping sounds and lively scenes always remained engrained in my memory once we were back in England.

bazaar


Pattern Street

A street in Moss Side embellished with a pattern representing arts from the cultures of the community of people residing there.

pattern-street