Hafsa Riaz

Artist Portrait

Based in Lahore, Hafsa Riaz is interested in exploring the cultural and social phenomenon of people coming together. Her research is based on two major parallel and contradictory congregational events that most of us have experienced culturally, living in Pakistan. Born in 1996, Karachi, Hafsa Riaz earned her BFA from National College of Arts in 2020, with a major in Printmaking. She majorly works with traditional printmaking techniques, using photography as a tool to create references for her visuals.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of making your work? 

The line etching process is the longest as I build up the drawing with repetitive marks in circles, instead of straight-line drawings. This process is almost meditative. A monotone color palette dominates most of my works as it enhances the nostalgia of the visuals.

Tell us more about your work in the show. 

‘Nagma’ is a reminiscent of a glorified time that was. This particular pattern of the tent was widely used for any and all occasions back when tents were first introduced in Pakistan. It has become a cultural symbol and enhances the confusion of the actuality of the event. 

‘Nigehbaan’ depicts the action of presenting women for the pleasure of others; a tolerable practice in our society. It further highlights the acceptance of the event. 

What are some references you draw upon in your work? Are there any themes in particular that you like to focus on when creating?

The two major congregational events that are culturally celebrated in Pakistan have been recurring until now.  I often employ the visual references of a tiny event around the same theme or a memory that is rooted in my mind. 

Where are some of your favorite spaces that support contemporary art or design? Now that the art has an online presence, has that changed?

I am still struggling to find spaces that truly support contemporary arts and inexperienced artists. However, my interaction with a couple of international spaces has been absolutely delightful. That, I believe happened more profoundly because of the change to online platforms. Artists have a higher chance to connect globally with each other. As a result more versatile works are brought forward to be showcased. 

Close up of artists’ working on the canvas. 

Who are some of your favorite artists? Or who has been inspirational recently?

My most recent inspiration has been a bunch of kids that I’m teaching to at a local school, ages ranging from 3-8 yrs. They are reminding me to have fun with the medium/s and to find purpose in the process rather than just aiming for a particular end product.

Do you have any shows coming up? Anything else you would like to share?

I do not have any shows coming up yet. However, I would like to share this small project(ongoing) that I conducted with a group of friends which included people from different career paths. They were divided into two groups, which took turns and worked on one huge canvas cloth. The aim was to have fun and a lot of variations of the visuals was formed. (see above image)

Hafsa Riaz’s work is included in our show “Time Wont Tell,” November 3rd - December 30th, 2021. You can view her work on Instagram @hafsanama.