sister-hood is an award-winning digital magazine spotlighting the diverse voices of women of Muslim heritage.
sister-hood is a digital magazine and a series of live events. We create platforms for women of Muslim heritage to speak for themselves, rather than being spoken for or spoken about. sister-hood challenges stereotypes and promotes the fearless, progressive, creative voices of women of Muslim heritage.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pattern Street
A street in Moss Side embellished with a pattern representing arts from the cultures of the community of people residing there.
Usarae Gul
Usarae Gul is a print designer based in Manchester. She plays with colour,and pattern, and playfully mixes objects from both sides of the world she identifies with. She depicts items and scenes that make her curious, working with paint and found objects to create striking images, full of colour and pattern heavily influenced by her Pakistani roots. Website: www.usarae.com