SORAYA SIKANDER
Biography
Soraya Sikander is one of today’s leading contemporary South Asian artists known for her landscapes and organic forms. The artist has been ranked as one of Pakistan’s bestknown painters making it big internationally, listed as ‘Artist to watch’. Soraya works in oil and acrylics on canvas and is internationally renowned for inventing her pioneering Calligraphy Landscapes. Recognition for her work has come through critical acclaim and nonstop sold-out exhibitions. She is also a TEDx art speaker. Soraya Sikander trained in fine arts through the London Atelier of Representational Arts, and UCL Slade summer intensive. Her art has been reviewed by: China News, HELLO! Magazine, OK!, The National, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, The Gulf Today, Dahabiya, Al Bilad, Jaffat El Aqlam, Artlyst, etc. Soraya Sikander has held over twenty international group & solo exhibitions at premier galleries and museums worldwide including: Beijing Biennale 2019 & 2017 (National Art Museum of China), Galerie Patries Van Dorst (Netherlands), Etihad Modern (Abu Dhabi), National Museum of Bangladesh (Dhaka museum), La Galleria Pall Mall, Royal Opera Arcade (London), Unicorn Gallery (Karachi, Lahore, Dubai), Alhamra Art Gallery (Lahore), Sharjah Heritage Museum, The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) RAK Fine Art Fair, Lahore Biennale and more.
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Soraya Sikander Biography
Solo Exhibitions
2018 Inscape, Unicorn Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2017 Inscape: Exploring Inner Landscapes, Unicorn Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2014 In, At and Around, Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, Pakistan
2013 In, At and Around: Exploring Urban Space, Unicorn Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
2010 An Ode to Nature, Grand Trunk Road Art Gallery, Singapore A Floral Symphony, Unicorn Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
Group Exhibitions
2021 The World Is Too Much With Us, L'Alliance Française of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2021 The World Is Too Much With Us, The Gallery, Sustainable City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2020 Hunar Art 2020, A fundraiser by friends of Hunar, Online International Art Exhibition, Karachi, Pakistan
2019 Voices, Elham Art Gallery, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2019 100 Years of Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2015 Embassy Art, Galerie Patries Van Dorst, Wassenaar, Netherlands
2013 Awaaz Baldia Inferno, Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
2012 New Art from Pakistan, La Galleria Pall Mall, London, United Kingdom
2012 Slade Summer Show 2012, University College London, United Kingdom
2011 Art from Pakistan, Pakistan High Commission, London, United Kingdom
2010 Art Without Boundaries, Total Arts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2010 The Golden Collection, Unicorn Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
2009 A Meeting of Minds, National Art Gallery Bangladesh, Shilpakala Academy / Dhaka Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2009 Recession, Unicorn Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
Art Fairs and Biennales
2021 International Painting Biennial 2021, 7th edition of the International Painting Biennial, under the patronage of Ministry of Culture of Republic of Moldova, National Museum of Fine Arts of R. Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova
2019 A Colourful World and a Shared Future, 8th International Artist Beijing Biennale, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
2018 Resurgence, Lahore Biennale 01 collateral event, Lahore, Pakistan
2017 Silk Road and World Civilizations, 7th International Artist Beijing Biennale, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
2016 RAK Fine Art Fair 2016, National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Awards
2021 ‘Arts and Calligraphy’ High Achiever Award, National Youth, Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan
2020 ‘Best Contemporary Landscape Painter – South Asia’ Business Excellence Awards, Acquisition International, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Special Viewings
2020 Private viewing: Art Exhibition Launch, in collaboration with Select Group, Pacific Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2020 Studio launch: Dubai Art Studio Launch of Soraya Sikander’s new studio, in collaboration with Unicorn Gallery Unlimited, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2010 Private viewing: Contemporary Pakistani Art, NM Art Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2008 Private viewing: The Kohinoor Selection – Art Gems of the subcontinent, Unicorn Space, Dubai, UAE
Projects and Public Commissions
2021 Artist Talk ‘Talkative with Ahmad’ Foundry Gallery, Dubai
2020 ‘Contemporary Nature Murals’, Mural Paintings Project, Commissioned by Delhi Private School, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2019 ‘Calligraphy Landscape’, commissioned project for London Dairy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Sharjah Expo, Art workshop in collaboration with the Sharjah Museum / Sharjah Heritage institute at Sharjah Expo Centre, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
2019 Art Collaboration with Bill Zhao, Art collaboration painting with Chinese Master Artist Bill Zhao during the 8th Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing, China
2014 ‘Conditioning in art: Images without context’, Art Lecture for TED talks, TEDx event at NED University, Karachi, Pakistan
Education
2021 Fresco Painting, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
2014 Sight Size Drawing, London Atelier of Representational Art, London, United Kingdom
2012 Slade Summer School Foundation, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, London, United Kingdom
2008 BA Hons, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan
Teaching Experience
2020 Private Art Tutor to the Royal Family of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2019 Fine Art Workshops at Communitea - Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2020 Group Training Art Classes at Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
2018 ‘Calligraphy: Word Into Art’ Lecturer and Program Leader at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, LUMS, Lahore, Pakistan
2018 ‘History of Art’, ‘Drawing. Painting’ Art Classes at Unicorn Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
Bibliography
2019 The Album of the eighth Beijing International Art Biennale China 2019, compiled by China Artists Association.
2018 Resurgence LB01, Lahore Biennale 01 collateral event catalogue, Pakistan.
2017 The Album of the seventh Beijing International Art Biennale China 2017, compiled by China Artists Association, China.
2016 Ras Al Khaimah Fine Art Fair 2016, catalogue in collaboration with the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
2015 Oxford Companion to Pakistani Art encyclopedia, Oxford University Press, Karachi, Pakistan.
2013 In, at and around: exploring urban space, Noorani Press – With essays by Professor Gerda Roper, Juliet Highet, Marjorie Husain, Dr. Akbar Naqvi, Mohsin Jaffri, MS Kureshi, Unicorn Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
2010 Contemporary Pakistani Artists (Paperback) General Books LLC, ISBN 9781156558416 Barnes and Noble, United States of America.
Reviews, Interviews & Writings
2021 ‘International Women’s Day: Choose to challenge’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 03 March 2021 'The World is Too Much With Us - Art Exhibition' by Matt Pomroy, GQ, 13 February 2021 '6 UAE-Based Artists On How They're Encouraging Sustainability Via Their Art' by Athwifa Saleem, Harper's Bazaar Art, 24 January 2021
2020 ‘Soraya has a lockdown art attack’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 19 November 2020 ‘For the skill within you’ The News, 17 November 2020 ‘Soraya Sikander paints two new murals in a private project for Delhi Private School’ Biz Today, 10 August 2020 ‘Nature more mural by Soraya Sikander for Private School, UAE’ Enewspaper, 05 August 2020
2019 ‘Art has the ability to humanize us: Soraya Sikander’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 14 November 2019 ‘The colours pull me’ The Independent, 16 May 2019 ‘World Galleries Display Artist’s Works’ The News, 31 May 2019 ‘A big Eid trip down memory lane’ Eastern Eye, 31 May 2019 ‘A painter of life, Pakistani artist travels world for landscape inspiration’ The News, 04 April 2019 ‘I surely visit London in Autumn: Soraya Sikander’ Geo News, 03 April 2019 ‘Give Peace a chance’ Indian News, 21 March 2019
2018 ‘Soraya Sikander – Painters of Pakistan’ Albilad English Daily, 30 July 2018 ‘Pakistani Artist Soraya Sikander exhibits INSCAPE at Unicorn Gallery’ by Nasir Wakeel, Aaj.tv, 19 March 2018 ‘Exhibition: Realms of colour and spirit’ Dawn, 04 March 2018 ‘Beauty of seasons in dreams at Unicorn Gallery’ International The News, 11 February 2018
2017 ‘Pakistan’s leading contemporary landscape painter Soraya Sikander’ Enewspaper, 14 December 2017 ‘Pioneer of style’ The Friday Times, 08 December 2017 ‘Between sight and memory’ Dawn (EOS Page 4), 22 October 2017 ‘Soraya giving new dimensions to calligraphy’ Ad Gallery Vivo, 13 May 2017 ‘Gallery: Inner landscapes’ by Saira Dar, Dawn, 26 March 2017 ‘How green is our grey’, The News on Sunday, 19 March 2017 ‘In her mind’s eye’ by Talal Faisal, The Friday Times, 17 March 2017 ‘When travel meets nature through art’ The Express Tribune, 03 March 2017
2016 ‘Soraya: Picture this’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 22 July 2016 ‘Can’t miss 5 art exhibitions to see in Abu Dhabi & Dubai’ The National, 28 June 2016 ‘Fananoon fe daulate al emarat’ by Liz Collins, Dahabiya, 23 June 2016 ‘Changing the landscape’ by Anna Seaman, The National, Arts & Culture, 06 June 2016 ‘Breaking Barriers: Women Achievers Talk Equality’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 04 March 2016 ‘My Top Ten Artistic Moments and Inspiration with Soraya Sikander’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye, 08 January 2016
2015 ‘Soraya Sikander at Galerie Patries Van Dorst’ European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology, December 2015 ‘Embassy Art Exhibition’ Diplomat Magazine, 23 October 2015
Reviews, Interviews & Writings
2014 ‘Top Pakistani Contemporary Artists Making It Big Internationally’ ArtSome, December 2014 ‘HELLO! Pakistan catches up with artist Soraya Sikander’ HELLO! Pakistan, September 2014 ‘An Inquisitive Wanderer – Urban Trivialities and Art Escape’ CaravanDaily, June 2014 ‘Soraya Sikander’s work is an on-going visual monologue’ IRIS, April 2014 ‘In, at and around with Soraya Sikander’ Youlin Magazine, 19 February 2014 ‘Soraya Sikander’s In, at and around Lahore makes news’ The News Lark, 15 February 2014: ‘In, at an around: Soraya Sikander at Alhamra Gallery’ SHE magazine, February 2014 ‘Art beat: Eclectic and exuberant’ Dawn, 02 February 2014 ‘Exhibition In, At and Around continues to attract crowds’ Daily Times, 23 January 2014 ‘Urban violence, natural beauty caught on canvas’ The Express Tribune, 21 January 2014 ‘New approach paintings on display’ Dawn, 21 January 2014
2013 ‘Sharing an artist’s viewpoint: Soraya Sikander In, at and around’ December 2013, ADA Architecture Design Art • May 2013: ‘Responding to her environment’ Glam Magazine • February 2013: ‘Voyage of Discovery’ Newsline magazine February 2013: ‘In, at and around’ Women’s Own magazine • 28 January 2013: ‘Artist explores British urban landscape’ The Samosa UK • 25 January 2013: ‘Various impressions of the city’ Weekly Pulse • 19 January 2013: ‘Art Facts: Dark and bright cityscapes’ Business Recorder • 13 January 2013: ‘Art Beat: In, at and around’ Dawn • 12 January 2013: ‘In, At and Around by Soraya Sikander’ Islamic Arts Magazine • 11 January 2013: ‘Soraya Sikander uses London’s colours and Karachi’s tones of grey’ The Express Tribune • 11 January 2013: ‘Impressions of a foreign land’ Dawn
REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS & WRITINGS
2012 ‘Works of leading Pakistani Artists to be showcased in London’ The Samosa, September 2012 • September 2012: ‘New Art from Pakistan’ Artlyst • September 2012: The High Commission for Pakistan in United Kingdom – Essay • September 2012: La Galleria Pall Mall – Essay
2011 ‘Vitality and versatility’ The Nation London July 2011 • July 2011: Associated Press of Pakistan – Essay • 31 July 2011: ‘The response of young Pakistani artists’ Frontier Star • 27 July 2011: ‘Contemporary Art Exhibition at Pakistan High Commission’ AsiaNet • 07 July 2011: ‘Question of peace – answer of art’ The Gulf Today • 24 June 2011: ‘At one with Nature’ Art & Culture, Khaleej Times
REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS & WRITINGS
2010 ‘The Golden Collection of vivid scenic beauty’ Business Recorder 29 May 2010: • 24 May 2010: ‘The Golden Collection pays homage’ Daily Times • 23 May 2010: ‘Rustic art — a piece of gold’ Dawn • 02 April 2010: ‘Flower power’ Business Recorder • 26 March 2010: ‘Make flowers — not war’ Nigaah • 24 March 2010: ‘Seeking solace in colours of spring’ Business Recorder • 20 February 2010: ‘Celebrating nature — not terrorism’ Daily Times • 24 February 2010: ‘Soraya’s painting exhibition’ The Leader • 10 January 2010: ‘Sapphic Tales’ Dawn
REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS & WRITINGS
2009 ‘A meeting of minds’ Arts and Entertainment, The Daily Star 23 October 2009 • 23 October 2009: ‘Emotions coloured’ Star Weekend • 24 August 2009: ‘Interpreting the recession’ Dawn • 22 August 2009: ‘Recession on canvas’ Business Recorder • 19 July 2009: ‘Fann-e-Musawari’ Muqadamma • 15 June 2009: ‘Musawari ko urooj’ Awam • 15 June 2009: ‘Art in Pakistan’ Regional Times • 22 March 2009: ‘A place in the sun’ Gulf News