In Ecstasy

Words hold great power. They have the ability to create and destroy. This inherent power bestowed upon words can either be used constructively or destructively; to encourage or discourage, to build or to tear down. Words we are made to hear, better yet made to believe, have a significant impact on shaping our identities, especially in our adolescent years. Using the energy of such words and channeling them positively as a form of catharsis is where my practice comes in.

My work revolves around themes of sexuality, celebration and movement. Reflecting on my personal experience of being bullied, I became interested in language and communication, producing an artistic body of work that visually focused on written text. I use text as a tool to make recurring marks, creating textures and patterns. By merging text, color and paint I release emotional trauma onto the surface; hence, creating illusive visual imagery.

Hussain (born 1996) is an artist and performer based in Lahore. Hussain completed his BFA – Painting from National College of Arts, Lahore in 2022 and graduated with distinction. He has also been working as a professional dancer and choreographer since 2018 with interests in Voguing, Whacking and Hip-Hop and has trained at Los Angeles and Berlin. In Hussain’s art practice, he uses text as a tool for mark-making, creating illusive visual imagery.