Art > PAST PROGRAMMES > Blurring Boundaries > Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai

Born in Najibabad, Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Art from the Aligarh Muslim University and a Masters in Fine Art from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Her practice has focused on the role of women, particularly those that are bound within religious orthodoxies. Inspired by the texts of various poets and philosophers, Ahmadzai’s artworks juxtapose image and text to comment on women and their roles, some in love and some victims to political terrorism. Ahmadzai’s collaborative practice, which include Lihaaf (Quilt) involves women from various local communities who stitch a common narrative on a larger quilt. This project was one of the recipients of the five million incidents grant from the Goethe-Institut, New Delhi. Ahmadzai was a recipient of the Inlaks Award in 2019 and has since exhibited in multiple exhibitions in India. She lives between Kabul and New Delhi.

 

Naqsh – e – Dhund – O – Hudud

“Through this journey of being experimental, I am learning a lot. I took references from poets like Asma bint Marwan, Rabia Basri and Lalleshwari. I also took few references from my years of staying in Ahmed Manzil when I was studying at the Aligarh Muslim University and that building reminds me of Ismat Chugtai’s story – The Quilt.”

 

Anar k 36 Daano ki Dastaan Rabia aur Lal Ded ki Zubani Paper mache, flower dye paste and ink on Majher Path Fabric 60cm x 48cm 2020

 

Babar Ka Shikasta Khwaa-O-Chand Paper mache and Ink on Majher Path Fabric 48cm x 35cm 2020

 

Dastaan-E-Kursi Paper mache, Flower dye paste and Ink on Majher Path Fabric 120cm x 90cm 2020

 

Lal Ded Ka Khwaab Paper mache, flower dye paste on Majher Path Fabric 48cm x 40cm 2020

Dhund-O-Hudud Paper mache, Flower dye paste and Ink on Majher Path Fabric 60cm x 48cm 2020

COPYRIGHT © 2017. INLAKS SHIVDASANI FOUNDATION. JOMEL & ZOYA KATHAWALA