Zunaira Sultan, born in Pakistan in 1994 and raised in the United States, is a visual artist currently based in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. She completed her Master’s in Visual Arts from the National College of Arts, Lahore in 2022. Sultan graduated in Fine Arts from the University of the Punjab, College of Art and Design in 2017.
Her recent artist book was displayed at Vasl Display for the 6th edition of Focal Point by Sharjah Art Foundation, 2023 in November.
Sultan’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her notable exhibitions include Artescape in Islamabad and PNCA (Pakistan National Council of Arts) in 2022, Gallery Full Circle in Karachi in June 2022, and Canvas Gallery in Karachi in 2020, where she participated in a thematic exhibition on quarantine. Sultan plans to study further to expand her horizons in South Asian art history.
My approach towards my artist expression starts with photography which helps me capture what I connect with in this world. I respond to those photographs with an added expression of painting and poetry/prose. Themes that I am particularly interested in include the questions: of conceptualizing oneself as a South Asian woman, the relationship that I have with women around me and the overall idea of storytelling through the perspective of women. This process of observation and photography, inspired by literature, is what gives birth to my visuals and my writings. The work uses symbolic exploration of how identity, ideas and beliefs change between generations with the passage of time.
In collaboration with the Musawah Artist Collective, I have created a body of work that underscores the intersection of art and activism, highlighting their profound impact on society. Women globally have faced injustice, oppression, and abuse, but progress has been made through education, awareness, and legal reforms. However, in remote, underdeveloped areas, patriarchal hierarchies still prevail.
Polygamy remains a significant concern for many women today. In response, I have gathered portraits of women from a small town in the mountainous region of Khaplu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. These portraits represent the experiences of many women in this region who have endured injustice and oppression. Living among them and hearing their stories first hand inspired me to bring their narratives to a broader audience.
The symbolism and metaphors in my paintings are native to their region, creating a connection to their cultural context. This work is a testament to their resilience and a call for greater awareness and change.
