Painting

Painting

Palette with green and orange paint swatches on paper

My painting practice is led by process : layering, scraping, washing, and building until something clicks. I work in oil, acrylic, watercolour, and mixed media, often switching between them to follow the energy of an idea. Each surface becomes a space to test emotion, texture, and tension through material play.

Rear View

Artwork showing part of a Dalmatian's body and a dog's head on a red background.
Hare I, Watercolour on paper

Hare I, Watercolour on paper

Hare II, Watercolour on paper

Hare II, Watercolour on paper

Oyster, Watercolour and Ink on Paper

Oyster, Watercolour and Ink on Paper

Fish, Watercolour and Ink on Paper

Fish, Watercolour and Ink on Paper

No True White, Oil on Paper

No True White, Oil on Paper

All Alone in Epping Forest, Acrylic on Paper

All Alone in Epping Forest, Acrylic on Paper

One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sh..., Oil on Paper

One Sheep, Two Sheep, Three Sh..., Oil on Paper

Dilly-Dally, Oil on Canvas

Dilly-Dally, Oil on Canvas

Goodbye, GobUr Myon

I have lost the little Kashmiri I understood over the past four years, since I have moved London. "Gobur Myon' is what my Mother and Grandmother whisper to me as the hold my face delicately, as if it is the most precious of all treasures, and kiss my forehead.

All through my 23 years of life and these endless greetings of love, I never knew what this phrase meant, only that it conveyed immeasurable love. Nearly two months ago, a Kashmiri to English translation website let me know that the two little words mean 'my dearest'. I was furious at this simple translation. I was hoping the search would come up with paragraphs and paragraphs of explanations and metaphors for ultimate proclamations of love.

I realised, then, that it was not what the words meant that mattered to me, they were merely sounds, it was what they made me feel. The three syllables made me feel secure, wanted, and loved. They signified a sense of home and belonging to me.

Through this project, I aim to honour this love that has nurtured me and given me the courage to step out and find my own way in the world. Growing up and moving away is a fairly universal experience and I hope this project resonates with a large audience. 

Abstract painting of a young person surrounded by green and brown hues, depicting a contemplative expression. Other indistinct figures are in the background.
Artwork depicting a man with glasses surrounded by various scenes: a child on a bicycle, a baby, and a man with a child by a lake with ducks, all in blue tones.
A painting depicting a festive scene with a family, including adults and children, gathered together. A woman in a pink outfit is smiling while holding a tray. A young boy in traditional attire and a girl in a red dress stand in the foreground. There are decorative elements, including candles and a red ornament, suggesting a celebration.