Written by Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins.
The idea of being in isolation initially was not easy, I felt like the time was either going to be a dream killer or a way to re-discover myself creatively. Before the pandemic restrictions, I was focusing on creating a workshop based on the Creativity of Pakistani women.
During this imposed lockdown, I felt the need to do something with my time that may also get me closer to completing my MA research project and for me to refresh my creativity.
It is now the month of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting, praying and reflection for Muslims. I have started reading more Urdu Books, and in doing so have been inspired by the Calligraphy. I decided to experiment with this art form as a personal journey of discovery.
My explorations into Urdu Calligraphy has become an interesting form of expression during this time. I started translating English words into Urdu with the help of Google Translate and my mother. Then I started painting with water colours and writing with ProMarkers. I thought maybe I can connect this with my MA research project, so have also started a dedicated Instagram page in an attempt to connect with other Pakistani artists and I have already successfully reached out to a few women here.
My research project looks at the Identity of Pakistani women. I want to be able to both discover and create awareness about how Pakistani women are viewed in Western society. Social biases and cultural practices mean that Pakistani women are automatically considered uneducated, conservative housewives.
Urdu calligraphy explorations
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
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Sidra Hussain, MA Applied Imagination at Central Saint Martins
Through social and political modernisation, Pakistani women are ‘stepping up’, using their intelligence, educating themselves, standing strong against abusive relationships, publicly voicing their opinions and thoughts. Nevertheless, in the creative field some Pakistani women are still being told this is not an ideal career in the eyes of society.
With my creative skills I want to be able to showcase the creative skills and teaching of Pakistani women, to bring different Pakistani artists from different creative disciplines together to form a strong community and louder voice.
I would like to use this opportunity of studying at UAL to reach out to other creative Pakistani women. So if you are reading this right now, please get in touch via my Instagram.
Let Connect!
Instagram: @artisticidentiy
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