Wardha Shabbir
Visual practitioner and contemporary miniaturist Wardha Shabbir born in 1987 is residing in the city of Lahore Pakistan. She graduated from the prestigious National College of Arts, (NCA), Lahore, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts (BFA Hons.), receiving Honours, in 2011, where she also merited the Principal’s Honour Award. During her academic career at NCA, Shabbir was awarded numerous scholarships and grants as well as being selected for an exchange programme in Paris, with the Ecoledes Beaux Arts, (2006-‘10). Additionally, she received the best young artist Award from Al Hamra Gallery, Lahore, in 2011. She is also an educationist, having taught at her alma mater since 2013 where she also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor till 2021.
Since graduating, Shabbir has exhibited widely on national and international platforms. She was the first artist from Pakistan selected for FLACC Belgium, where she initiated a research-based experiment on the human sensorium while transforming a two-dimensional miniature painting into a three-dimensional interactive environment. In 2016, she participated in the Summer Intensive Programmeat the Slade School Of Fine Arts, London. In addition, Shabbir has exhibited at DAS (Dhaka Art Summit)-2014, Scope (Basel), Contemporary Istanbul-2011, Abu Dhabi Art Fair, 2020 and 2023, Indian Art Fair (2012 & 2019, 2022), Artissima 2021- Italy, Art Dubai 2022– Solo Booth (Bawwaba Section), ARCO- Madrid 2024 , The Asian Pacific Triennial at the Gallery Of Modern Art, Brisbane, Asian Now Paris 2024 as well as numerous groups exhibit around the world. She has been invited as a Panelist at various platforms including the FLF (Faisalabad Literature Festival) 2022, LLF (Lahore Literary Festival),2023 and Art Basel Hong Kong - A Conversation On Ink and Miniaturism, 2023.
Her solo exhibitions include “ The Water is Never Still” at Sabrina Amrani, Madrid Spain 2024,“If A Tree Could Wander” Alhamra Arts Centre, Public Institution in Lahore, Pakistan, “The Water You Seek” 2022 at Grosvenor Gallery London, “Green Matter” at Canvas Gallery, Karachi 2021; ‘In a Free State’ at Grosvenor Gallery, London, 2019; “The Space Within” at Canvas Gallery, Karachi, 2018; “Of Trees and Other Beings” at Rohtas II, Lahore, 2016; and “Many Metamorphoses “at Rohtas II, Lahore, 2012. Shabbir was among the finalists for the esteemed Jameel Prize 5 (2018), Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London where her work was exhibited, and travelled to other venues, including the Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai in 2019. She has been nominated twice for the Sovereign Art Prize, (2019 and 2020).
Shabbir has also given workshop and lectures on Miniature Painting at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) 2018, London UK, Master Class on Miniature Painting at Art Abu Dhabi 2021, Workshop on the Introduction of Miniature Painting at MISK Institute , Riyadh, Saudi Arab, 2023. Shabbir’s work is in well-reputed private and corporate collections in Switzerland, Berlin, Dubai, Abu Dhabi ,India. As well as various prominent collections in Pakistan, India, UK, USA and Canada. Her work has been acquired by the British Museum, UK and Kiran Nadar Museum, India in 2023.Her recent Museum acquisition of works was done by QAG& GOMA (Queens Land Art Gallery/Gallery Of Modern Art.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Film
Sunday 2nd Feb
Women in the Arts
Location: Hall 1 Inspired by the affidavit paper, a ubiquitous presence in South Asian culture, I transform these everyday emblems into intricate artworks on textile. This film masterfully weaves together the worlds I inhabit - my studio, where innovation and experimentation reign, and my village, where tradition, community, and the cultural significance of affidavit paper converge. The filmmakers have skillfully captured the depth and layers of the work. Watch as this poignant film takes you on a journey that harmoniously blends heritage and creativity, revealing the beauty in the intersections of tradition and innovation.