Artiez Blog

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 best known 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 and solo exhibitions at premier galleries and museums worldwide including: Beijing Biennale 2019, Beijing Biennale 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), Alhamra Art Gallery (Lahore), Sharjah Heritage Museum, The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) RAK Fine Art Fair, Lahore Biennale and more.

EDUCATION

2014 LONDON ATELIER OF REPRESENTATIONAL ART
2012 SLADE SCHOOL OF FINE ART, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON 2008 BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE

EXHIBITIONS

29 OCTOBER 2019 Group show: ‘VOICES’
Elham Art Gallery, Ras Al Khaimah
26 AUGUST 2019 Biennale: ‘A COLORFUL WORLD AND A SHARED FUTURE’ 8th International Artist Beijing Biennale, National Museum of China, Beijing
03 JUNE 2019 Group show: ‘100 YEARS OF HILTON’
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
24 MARCH 2018 Biennale: ‘RESURGENCE’
Lahore Biennale 01 collateral event, Lahore
10 FEBRUARY 2018 Solo show: ‘INSCAPE 2018’
Unicorn Gallery, Lahore
24 SEPTEMBER 2017 Biennale: ‘SILK ROAD AND WORLD CIVILIZATIONS’
7th International Artist Beijing Biennale, National Museum of China, Beijing
28 FEBRUARY 2017 Solo show: ‘INSCAPE – EXPLORING INNER LANDSCAPES’ Unicorn Gallery, Lahore
20 FEBRUARY 2016 Art Fair: ‘RAK FINE ART FAIR 2016’

TEL: +971 55 9471201
EMAIL: INFO@SORAYASIKANDER.COM WEBSITE: WWW.SORAYASIKANDER.COM

National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah 28 NOVEMBER 2015 Group show: ‘EMBASSY ART’ Galerie Patries Van Dorst, Wassenaar, Netherlands
20 JANUARY 2014 Solo show: ‘IN, AT AND AROUND’ Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore

20 AUGUST 2013 Group show: ‘AWAAZ BALDIA INFERNO’
Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi
10 JANUARY 2013 Solo show: ‘IN, AT AND AROUND: EXPLORING URBAN SPACE’ Unicorn Gallery, Karachi
28 SEPTEMBER 2012 Group show: ‘NEW ART FROM PAKISTAN’
La Galleria Pall Mall, London
05 SEPTEMBER 2012 Group show: ‘SLADE SUMMER SHOW 2014’,
University College London, Slade school of fine art, London
29 JULY 2011 Group show: ‘ART FROM PAKISTAN’
Pakistan High Commission, London
04 OCTOBER 2010 Group show: ‘ART WITHOUT BOUNDARIES’
Total Arts, Dubai
17 JUNE 2010 Group show: ‘THE GOLDEN COLLECTION’
Unicorn Gallery, Karachi
17 JUNE 2010 Solo show: ‘AN ODE TO NATURE’
Grand Trunk Road Art Gallery, Singapore
19 FEBRUARY 2010 Solo show: ‘A FLORAL SYMPHONY’
Unicorn Gallery, Karachi
16 OCTOBER 2009 Group show: ‘A MEETING OF MINDS’
National Art Gallery Bangladesh, Shilpakala Academy / Dhaka Museum, Dhaka
30 AUGUST 2009 Group show: ‘RECESSION’
Unicorn Gallery, Karachi

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2019 The Album of the eighth Beijing International Art Biennale. China 2019 compiled by China Artists Association
2018 ‘Resurgence’, Lahore Biennale 01 collateral event catalogue
2017 The Album of the seventh Beijing International Art Biennale. China 2017 compiled by China Artists Association

2016 Ras Al Khaimah Fine Art Fair 2016 catalogue in collaboration with the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
2015 ‘Oxford Companion to Pakistani Art encyclopaedia’ Oxford University Press 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

PROJECTS

2020 ‘Contemporary Nature Murals’, Mural Paintings Project, Commissioned by Delhi Private School, Ras Al Khaimah
2010 ‘Contemporary Pakistani Artists’ (Paperback) General Books LLC, ISBN-13: 9781156558416 Barnes and Noble

2019 ‘Sharjah Expo’, Art workshop in collaboration with the Sharjah Museum / Sharjah Heritage institute at Sharjah Expo Centre, Sharjah
2019 ‘Art Collaboration with Bill Zhao’, Art collaboration painting with Chinese Master Artist Bill Zhao during the 8th Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing 2014 “Conditioning in art: Images without context”, Art Lecture for TED talks, TEDx event at NED University, Karachi

REVIEWS

14 NOVEMBER 2019 ‘Art has the ability to humanize us: Soraya Sikander’ By Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye
16 MAY 2019 ‘The colours pull me’ The Independent
31 MAY 2019 ‘World Galleries Display Artist’s Works’ The News

31 MAY 2019 ‘A big Eid trip down memory lane’ Eastern Eye
04 APRIL 2019 ‘A painter of life, Pakistani artist travels world
for landscape inspiration’ The News
03 APRIL 2019 ‘I surely visit London in Autumn: Soraya Sikander’ Geo News 21 MARCH 2019 ‘Give Peace a chance’ Indian News

19 MARCH 2018 ‘Pakistani Artist Soraya Sikander exhibits INSCAPE at Unicorn Gallery’ by Nasir Wakeel, Aaj.tv
04 MARCH 2018 ‘Exhibition: Realms of colour and spirit’ Dawn
11 FEBRUARY 2018 ‘Beauty of seasons in dreams at Unicorn Gallery’ International The News

14 DECEMBER 2017 ‘Pakistan’s leading contemporary landscape painter Soraya Sikander’ Enewspaper
08 DECEMBER 2017 ‘Pioneer of style’ The Friday Times
22 OCTOBER 2017 ‘Between sight and memory’ Dawn (EOS Page 4)

13 MAY 2017 ‘Soraya giving new dimensions to calligraphy’ Ad Gallery Vivo
26 MARCH 2017 ‘Gallery: Inner landscapes’ by Saira Dar, Dawn
19 MARCH 2017 ‘How green is our grey’ by Quddus Mirza, The News on Sunday 17 MARCH 2017 ‘In her mind’s eye’ by Talal Faisal, The Friday Times
03 MARCH 2017 ‘When travel meets nature through art’ The Express Tribune
22 JULY 2016 ‘Soraya: Picture this’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye
28 JUNE 2016 ‘Can’t miss 5 art exhibitions to see in Abu Dhabi & Dubai’
By Anna Seaman, The National
23 JUNE 2016 ‘Fananoon fe daulate al emarat’ by Liz Collins, Dahabiya
06 JUNE 2016 ‘Changing the landscape’ by Anna Seaman,

The National, Arts & Culture
04 MARCH 2016 ‘Breaking Barriers: Women Achievers Talk Equality feat. artist Soraya Sikander’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye
08 JANUARY 2016 ‘My Top Ten Artistic Moments and Inspiration with Soraya Sikander’ by Asjad Nazir, Eastern Eye
DECEMBER 2015 ‘Soraya Sikander at Galerie Patires Van Dorst’ European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology
23 OCTOBER 2015 ‘Embassy Art Exhibition’ Diplomat Magazine
DECEMBER 2014 ‘Top Pakistani Contemporary Artists Making It Big Internationally’ ArtSome
SEPTEMBER 2014 ‘HELLO! Pakistan catches up with artist Soraya Sikander’ HELLO! Pakistan
JUNE 2014 ‘An Inquisitive Wanderer – Urban Trivialities and Art Escape’ CaravanDaily
APRIL 2014 ‘Soraya Sikander’s work is an on-going visual monologue’ IRIS
19 FEBRUARY 2014 ‘In, at and around with Soraya Sikander’ Youlin Magazine
15 FEBRUARY 2014 ‘Soraya Sikander’s In, at and around Lahore makes news’ The News Lark
FEBRUARY 2014 ‘In, at an around: Soraya Sikander at Alhamra Gallery’ SHE magazine
02 FEBRUARY 2014 ‘Art beat: Eclectic and exuberant’ Dawn
23 JANUARY 2014 ‘Exhibition In, At and Around continues to attract crowds’ Daily Times
21 JANUARY 2014 ‘In, at and around: Urban violence, natural beauty caught on canvas’ The Express Tribune
21 JANUARY 2014 ‘New approach paintings on display’ Dawn
DECEMBER 2013 ‘Sharing an artist’s viewpoint: Soraya Sikander In, at and around’ 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
SEPTEMBER 2012 ‘Works of leading Pakistani Artists to be showcased in London’ The Samosa
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
JULY 2011 ‘Vitality and versatility’ The Nation London
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
29 MAY 2010 ‘The Golden Collection of vivid scenic beauty’ Business Recorder 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
23 OCTOBER 2009 ‘A meeting of minds’ Arts and Entertainment, The Daily Star 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