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I was taken by this piece at Franck Elbaz at the opening of "Host" last night. I began a piece a couple nights ago, on a large swath of unprimed canvas that I taped to my wall. After sketching on it, out of classic Zahra impatience, I began on it in passionate oil pastel sticks and then reprimanded myself for not waiting to gesso it. But then I would miss the skin-feel of the fabric... After seeing this painting below, I decided to let the laws go to shit and just make a grand fucking mess, and let it do the one thing it should do: sing to me.
Feb 4, 2024
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I have many complex feelings around painting people, relationships, friends, situationships ect. I’m recently working on a piece related to a recent break up and feel strange about showing it because I don’t want him to think I’m obsessed or dwelling or creepy but fuck it! I don’t care let me process and express and if you think painting someone’s face without their permission is immoral! Well cheating on someone is also quite immoral.
Anyway here’s my new piece I have started (not finished)
“Beautiful losers”
You love only when it’s a reflection of yourself.making me a mirror you can romanticise. he couldn’t tell me anything about me, just how I made HIM feel.
Jan 24, 2025
I’m on an instagram break plus I like you guys more so please enjoy this painting I am proud of. Referencing Bosch‘s garden of earthly delights, specifically the third “Hell” panel ❤️🔥 acrylic and gouache on raw canvas!
Feb 5, 2025
Jan 17, 2025
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I am an absolute slut for letters, notes, emails... I love giving them because I also love getting them. One of those basic childhood principles of doing as you would want to have done to you. This was such a small thing but it gave me such joy. My new work colleague dropped in this morning to hang out and work with me in my office as I was alone, using the rain outside as an excuse. I like being in her presence and making small banter/quips. I had to leave her to go for another meeting and when I came back, she'd left and I was instinctively sad but upon seeing this little thing on my desk I smiled very hard.
Feb 7, 2024
This was a gamble for me to do, especially on a piece that I'm liking so far, but in a bout of late-night risk-taking mood, I decided to layer the fabric with transparent gesso. I didn't dilute with water or stretch the fabric better, just going at it with gusto. Now dried, it looks and feels fantastic. The oilstick and pastel feels mummified. I can't wait to go in with washy oil paint on top.
Feb 4, 2024
I loved the exhibition which presented Madame Grès and Azzedine Alaïa's pieces in conversation. This bit of the exhibition text struck a note:
"When you find something that is personal and unique," said Madame Gres, "you must make the fullest possible use of it, pursuing its realisation wichout stopping until the end." Alaia echoed her words years later: "When an idea comes into your mind, you must capture it with a lasso and circle around it relentlessly."
I liked how they saw couture as sculpture and I wondered if I should experiment with the sewing machine next. Something I am already considering. The place itself was small but lovely, with one of the most beautifu, cosy and quiet terrasses I have seen in a while, and well populated only by fashionable folks. Something similar to something I should open in Karachi, with artist studios upstairs perhaps. Grès' photographs of her dresses worn also touched me. I wonder how much of capturing imagination is image creation, and if this is a sign I should start experimenting with film now that I have an array of lenses from M. Chacha.
Grès' story was also remarkable to me because of her true love for creation and art, and how she just opened a storefront and did not follow fashion week calenders. I wonder if I should too, just buy a storefront here and start my own thing, like Nazish and I were discussing on Saturday evening.
Mar 11, 2024