InspiRed: Humaira Abid

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Hello and welcome to my monthly column, InspiRed, where I will be interviewing artists and people involved in the art world about what they are most passionate about. As an artist myself, I am fascinated to learn who and what inspires other artists and listening to their stories, and this month I will tell you all about an empowering artist I have admired for years, Humaira Abid.

Photo courtesy of https://425business.com/a-show-of-hands/

When I was in high school, I was a Teen Docent at the Bellevue Arts Museum and had a blast giving tours to visitors and interacting with artists and museum executives. I was grateful to talk directly with Abid about her self-portrait in BAM’s 2014 Biennial Knock on Wood. She depicted herself smoking a cigarette in front of a painting of herself wearing more traditional clothing. Her parents and older brother strongly discouraged her from attending art school in Pakistan, warning her that the women smoke there. Though she doesn’t smoke herself, she wanted to show that she wholeheartedly embraced the ‘dangerous’ changes that would happen to her attending art school, mastering both miniature painting and wood sculpture.

Self-Portrait (detail), 2014, Photo courtesy of Humaira.co.pk

Her self-portrait also featured a tricycle she crafted out of wood with incredible attention to detail, including a pacifier on the front covered with blood. She was also discouraged from studying wood because it was a difficult field that was dominated by men. At every challenge, Abid took them on with strength and determination. If the medium was difficult, if the content was controversial, she valiantly proved everyone wrong. She has done so throughout her career, elevating controversial issues that women, children, and refugees face through her work. Many pieces she creates are autobiographical in nature, having chosen a bloody pacifier because she suffered multiple miscarriages, yet another taboo issue she felt she couldn’t talk about.

Self-Portrait, 2014, Photo by Adeel Ahmed

After viewing her Searching for Home show at BAM in November, which I reviewed here, a visitor asked her if there were any artists or role models that she really looked up to. She said that she couldn’t think of someone that she drew inspiration from. She talked about her mother, who she loves, but who encouraged her to get married, settle down, and cave to the pressures put on her by society. She told the audience that her father encouraged her and took a stand for her when her family faced scorn for her controversial artwork. However, Abid frankly stated that there were very few strong women around her as she grew up and that vacuum, or absence, inspired her to be the role model that she always wanted.

I asked her what advice she had for young artists and young people in general. She said that being passionate about something is one of the most powerful things in life, and that you should never be scared by boundaries holding you back. Art school is never a hobby, she said, contradicting the feelings of insignificance many art students face. She also encouraged the audience to continue opening up subjects for the community, deconstructing taboos and social norms that do more harm than good. “Making things that are beautiful isn’t enough and don’t be afraid to stand out.”

Istri Series 1, 2015, photo courtesy of Humaira.co.pk

By now, I hope that you’re thinking, “Wow this woman is so inspiring, where can I see her work?” Her Searching for Home show at BAM will be showing through March 25th! Admission is free for everyone the first Friday of every month. She will be also be speaking at KUOW’s Front Row Center event on February 2nd. If nothing else, you can follow her on Instagram @humaira_atelierh or check out her personal website.

She is presently working on a series in response to the Tempting Eyes Law in Saudi Arabia where “women can be charged for showing pretty eyes, (often the only part of body they are allowed to show).” She depicts beautiful eyes in rear-view mirrors, further commenting on banning women from driving in Saudi Arabia as well, both of which she believes to exemplify female oppression. Keep an eye out for her, she’s doing utterly remarkable things.

Tempting Eyes, 2017, photo courtesy of @humaira_atelierh

“Artists must do difficult things. If we don’t who will?” – Humaira Abid

 

 

ANNI CHRISTENSEN | Cat Skeleton | KXSU Art Reporter

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