Samina is a multidisciplinary artist who was born to a Pakistani father and Dutch mother. Being exposed to two opposite cultures Islam has always been intrigued by people, traditions and surroundings. The quest for self, through her art, is an ongoing process. She moved back to Pakistan later in life where she started her endeavors in art. She got her Fine Art Diploma in 2002. She incorporates needlework on top of her photographs, which are printed on canvas. Islam loves experimentation and is constantly working with various media to achieve the effect she is looking for.
She has exhibited nationally and internationally and has been part of a textile art residency in Mexico (Oaxaca), a Studio Kura residency in Fukuoka, Japan, MAWA in Winnipeg, Canada, and a Varda residency in San Francisco. Her art has been used for the book cover Dhaka Dust” by Dilruba Ahmed, winner of the 2010 Katharine Bakeless Nason prize for poetry. She has also provided the album cover for “Insomnia” by music artist Audien (Nate Rathbun), Grammy nominee 2014. She lives and works in Karachi, where she works as an art educator at Cedar and Sceptre College.
Samina’s artwork critically examines social and cultural issues. While she employs a variety of materials and processes, her methodology remains consistent. Though her projects may not always share material similarities, they are interconnected through recurring formal concerns and thematic exploration. The subject matter of each body of work dictates the choice of materials and forms.
For Samina, needlework serves as both self-expression and meditation. It’s addictive nature and boundless possibilities make it an exciting medium to explore. Her practice is highly time-intensive, with most pieces meticulously stitched by hand. Experimentation with different threads and textiles is integral to her process, allowing her to engage deeply with her work from inception to completion. By combining photography with textiles and thread, she nurtures her creativity and sustains her passion for artistic exploration.
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