حلف نامہ

Shoaib graduated from the National College of Arts in 2004 with honors in Miniature. He then went on to receive his MFA in Visual Arts from College of Art and Design, Punjab University. Shoaib participated in various group shows following his graduation and held his first solo show in New Delhi, India in 2008. Since then, he has displayed his works in various art galleries nationally and internationally.

His work draws inspiration from the rich visual tradition of Persian miniature painting, particularly the illustrated manuscripts of the Shahnameh. Captivated by their intricate compositions, the opulent use of gold, and the nuanced relationship between text and image, Mahmood reimagines these classical aesthetics through a contemporary, socio-political lens.

While his visual language is rooted in historical forms, the content of his work engages directly with the political realities of his region. He incorporates politically charged terms—such as “imported” and “selected,” commonly used to delegitimize political leaders—translating them into Persian and embedding them within dense, often unreadable compositions. In doing so, he reflects on the shifting power of language, its capacity to both obscure and reveal, and its historical role in shaping political narratives.

Through this fusion of traditional form and modern critique, he creates work that challenges viewers to reconsider the intersection of beauty, history, and contemporary political discourse.