paintings.
Artist Statement
With my work, I celebrate marginalised communities within South Asia, with emphasis on Pakistani communities. My practice can be categorised as disruptive as it explores regionally sensitive themes of gender identity and sexuality. I am creating visual voices, where the underpinning notion of this text based imagery is to speak to the public about the struggles of minorities in this country through an optimistic lens.
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My work is centred around text which has been used as a tool to make recurring marks; creating patterns and textures. I use vibrant colours and words that are representative of the joyfulness of the underrepresented. Some of these words include ‘pride’, ’respect’ and ‘freak’. By merging colour, paint and text, I create illusive imagery that takes on the visual forms of sound, transforming two-dimensional surfaces to create visual perception. Through these repetitive patterns; I explore illusions of movement. As I went deeper into this visual vocabulary, I realised how this repeated mark making process was a performance in itself. The act of repetition becomes a way to combine the rhythm of music, the loudness of words and the physicality of performance in my work.
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Bridget Riley, Bhupen Khakhar and Jenny Holzer are key artists that have inspired my approach to art. Perception is the medium through which Riley is exploring her visual vocabulary. Her paintings inspired me to manipulate the viewers experience of my work through the use of layers and linearity of text with colours and patterns. There is a purposeful distortion that plays out as the viewer moves and implores them to explore it at length. Khakhar’s playful use of colour and surrealist imagery of his subjects got me interested in developing a coded language where I could subtly speak of important issues that are consciously ignored in a conservative society. Holzer’s juxtaposition of poetry with politics, questions our roles in society. I am trying to emulate the same principles by employing text as a thoughtful and intentioned political statement.
Artist Bio
Qasim Ali Hussain (born 1996) is an artist & performer based in Lahore, Pakistan. He graduated in Fine Art - Painting from National College of Arts, Lahore in 2022.
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In his art practice, he celebrates and empowers the unheard voices of marginalised communities in Pakistan. Hussain has exhibited in numerous group shows across Pakistan. He has also completed the Guti Artist Residency held in Karimabad, Hunza Valley and has been published in Youlin and Libas.
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Hussain also works as an independent choreographer. He holds a diploma from Millennium Dance Complex, Los Angeles and has been the dance director at the National College of Arts and works with the local dance company ‘The Colony’ as well.
CV
Born in Germany; Raised in Pakistan
Lives and works in Lahore, Pakistan
Group Shows
2023 - ‘Stars of Tomorrow '23’ - Pakistan Art Forum, Lahore, Pakistan
2023 - ‘18th Emerging Talent Exhibition’ - VM Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Red Light Area - HAAM Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Conclaves’ - Artescape Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Satellite’ - Dastaangoi, Islamabad, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Distorted Perspective’ - Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - 2ndAnna Molka Award - Anna Molka Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - Contemporary’ - Lakir Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Emerge’ - Dominion Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - Guti Artist Residency Exhibition - Karimabad, Hunza Valley
2022 - ‘Broadcast Vol. I’ - O’Art Space, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - ‘Affirmation’ - ArtSoch Contemporary, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - Dewan-e-Wehshi - Art Fair, Lahore, Pakistan
2022 - Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery - BFA Degree Show, Lahore, Pakistan
Residencies
Guti Artist Residency - Karimabad, Hunza Valley - June 2022
Work
The Colony; Lahore, Pakistan - 2018 - 2021
Choreographer/Dancer/Teacher,
Dance Training
Dance Diploma, Millennium Dance Complex; Los Angeles, USA - 2018
Flying Steps Academy; Berlin, Germany - 2018
Education
BFA - Painting, 2022
National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
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Awards
BFA - Painting, Graduated with Distinction