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Post-Grad Portraits: Irum Rahat

portrait of artist in front of their painting

Written byPost-Grad Community
Published date 27 February 2024

A series of interviews with alumni from across UAL, Post-Grad Portraits is a chance to highlight the achievements of postgrads from the last decade. Post-Grad Portraits is part of our celebration of Post-Grad Community's 10 year anniversary.

Irum Rahat

MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, 2023

Hello Irum! Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Irum Rahat and I am from Lahore, Pakistan. I moved to London in 2021 to study for an MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins to further pursue my career as an artist. I graduated in 2023 had a very fulfilling experience throughout my time at UAL.

Tell us about what you do now.

I am currently working as a full-time artist towards some very exciting opportunities My painting practice is fundamentally anchored in the praxis of pictorial expression. Some of these opportunities are based in Pakistan which allows me the chance to constantly relearn my relational dynamics with the familiar and familial and reflect on that in my work.

A lot of my work involves domestic imagery which makes a trip back for some of these projects even more fruitful as I question notions of mundanity, intimacy, and patriarchy and what that means in a cultural and personal context.

Portrait painting — **Irum Rahat,** **Painting by Irum Rahat**

What's your proudest moment?

Moving away from home has to be my proudest moment. It was a rather confusing time post/during Covid denial but it really pushed me out of my comfort zone and affected my work in a significant way by providing clarity to what is it that I wanted to do with my work and personally.

With my painting practice for example, being away from home and recognising the framework of the white male adventure narrative, it caused an urgency to paint more of what was a so to speak ‘neglected’ experience in an enclosed space, especially when it’s of a Muslim South Asian woman.

I am not making claims to have it all figured out but moving to a different country allowed me to come into my own.

What’s your biggest strength?

My commitment to my work and taking initiative for myself. During the second year of my course, for example, I remember building rituals that would support a work ethic that I enjoyed. From the coffee I had in the morning to the time that I would spend there, which would typically be from 10 am- 6 pm, at least.

What's your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness would be my tendency to procrastinate. I would usually get over this by scheduling a lot of little parts of my day in my calendar, otherwise, I would feel too overwhelmed and procrastinate.

Painting of two people in a kitchen — **Irum Rahat,** **Painting 'Grand Aunts' by Irum Rahat**

Painting of a woman sat on a sofa — **Irum Rahat,** **Painting 'Prime Time Dinner for Six' by Irum Rahat**

What's the most significant learning experience you've had?

My learning experience with certain tutors at CSM, Marc Hulson, Erika Tan and Owen Parry, for example, have created a monumental effect on my work as an artist. A lot of their feedback, but also just conversations in the studio, all add to your learning experiences.

I think when tutors also acknowledge where you’re progressing or lacking in your practice is extremely important. As a student, it is unfair to be expected to know everything already and Marc and Erika both were very helpful in pushing me in the studio. Owen, he helped me contextualise my work in a much clearer manner and has even planted seeds for exploring publications as an extension of my practice.

What's your favourite artwork?

One of my favourite paintings is A Bar at the Folies-Bergere by Manet. It’s ground-breaking composition, the portrayal of urban life and bringing that into a conventional art form, the social commentary such as the commodification of women, and the brilliant way it’s painted are all elements as to why I admire it. I saw it for the first time in 2023 at the Courtauld and sat quietly just staring at it for quite some time.

painting of a woman standing at a bar — **A Bar at the Folies-Bergere by Manet**

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In a studio, somewhere in the world, painting. I would like to explore some residencies eventually but more than anything, I would want to make space not just for myself but for more emerging South Asian female artists to thrive professionally and as a community.

Painting of a kitchen sink — **Irum Rahat,** **Painting 'Working from home' by Irum Rahat**

Where can people find out more about your work?

I do have a website irumrahat.com but I am most active on my instagram and keep it up-to-date with any upcoming show details or studio visits @irumrahat_. Here’s a link to my graduate showcase too https://ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk.