Samar F Zia
Samar F. Zia’s practice is informed by myth, religion, science and technology, particularly biotechnology, punctuated with elements of fantasy and anthropomorphism. It is a culmination of the last ten years of work and derives from personal experience, memory and her imaginations from when she was a child.
Trained as a painter and Miniaturist, Zia’s art is constantly evolving owing to her desire to experiment with material and media.
Her visuals express concerns regarding creation/production, both natural and unnatural while addressing the use and abuse of nature and animals to satiate human curiosity, consumption, and insecurity. Her research lent a humorous feel to her art, leading her to elevate the realm of biotechnology to the level of religion, creating deities out of hybrid animals.
Zia has exhibited in Pakistan and the UK. She is also an independent curator and art critic.
CV and Exhibitions
Born 1983
Education
2013 MAFA, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, UK
2007 BFA, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Pakistan
Selected Exhibitions
2019 Adeste Fideles, A Christmas Show, Barbican Arts Group Trust, London
2019 Small is Beautiful, Koel Gallery, Karachi, Pk
2018 ArtWorks Open 2018, Barbican Arts Group Trust, London, UK
Mapping the Human Brain, The Old Biscuit Factory, London, UK
Radical Social Change, Fringe Arts Bath (FaB), Bath, UK
2017 Bahishti Cultures, Solo Exhibition, Fitzrovia Chapel, London, UK
2014 Reinforcement, Khaas Art gallery, Islamabad, Pk
2014 Mixed Media Exhibition, Candid Arts Trust, London, UK
2013 Rough Around the Edges, Hanmi Gallery, London, UK
Secrets, Enigma’s and Puzzles, Open Arts Café, West London Synagogue,
2013 Show 1, MA FA Degree Show, London,UK
2012 On being different and same at the same time, London, UK
2012 Attaining heights, V.M. Art Gallery, Karachi, PK
2012 MA Fine Art Interim show, V22, LondonM, UK
2011 Once upon a wintertime, Hackney Downs Studios, London,UK
Reinforcement, solo show, Canvas gallery, Karachi, PK
2010 Bits and pieces, KSA Gallery, Karachi, PK
2009 Dear Diary show, Poppy Seed Gallery, Karachi, PK
2009 Two person show, Khaas Art gallery, Islamabad, PK
Faculty 4, IVS Gallery, Karachi, PK
2008 Group Performance, Sunday Bazaar- The Museum of Non-Participation, Brad Butler and Karen Mirza, Karachi, PK
2008 Alumni Show 1, Collaborative Video installation, IVS Gallery, Karachi, PK
2008 Alumni Show 1, IVS Gallery, Karachi, PK
2008 Collaborative Performance, Vasl Artist-in-resident Monali Meher, Karachi, PK
2008 Karara 1, Grandeur Arts, Karachi, PK
Emerging Talent, V.M. Art Gallery, Karachi, PK
2008 Group Show, Rohtas 1, Islamabad, PK
2007 Group Show, Commune Gallery, Karachi, PK
Selected Reviews
April 2014 Reinforcement, Youlin magazine
www.youlinmagazine.com/review/mind-and-god/MjQw
April 2014 Reinforcement – Maryam Usman, Express Tribune
tribune.com.pk/story/690027/art-exhibition-capturing-the-mundane-on-canvas/
January 2014 Rough Around the Edges-Zahra Khan,
ArtNow Contemporary Art of Pakistan www.artnowpakistan.com/Review/RoughAroundtheEdges-439.html#.Us1d-WRdVZ1
May 2013, UAL Talent: Samar Zia- Naz K Rasmussen, ALN
www.artslondonnews.com/2013/05/09/ual-talent-samar-zia/
Nov/Dec 2011 Review Reinforcement-Allison White, Art Asia Pacific
Jan 2010 Dear Diary–A new art exhibition to look out for, Karachi Metblogs
May 2010 The Sound of Fury-Dawn Newspaper
April 2009 Breaking boundaries in search of Identity, TheNews
www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=172976&Cat=6&dt=4/17/2009
April 2009 Works of two artists on display at Khaas–Dawn
Aiugust 2008 Refreshingly Green-Karara Exhibition-Business Recorder Karachi
October 2008 Strokes to ponder-LuavatZahid, The News International
March 2008 Budding Artists’ Work Par Excellence–Dawn Newspaper
March 2008 Young Artists Work Go on Display at Rohtas Today-Daily Times
December 2007 Who Am I? Ask Fine Arts Students at the Indus Valley School–The News
December 2007 Show Stopper: The Indus Valley Thesis Degree Opens with 4 Years of Hard Work–Daily Times
Community Projects and Awards
2020 Celebrating Creatives, Creative Women’s Showcase, Riding House Hall, London
2018 Camels Project, Book launch and Art exhibition, Fitzrovia Community Centre, London, UK.
2016 Artist-in-Residence, Fitzrovia Community Centre, London, UK
2010 Donation, Digital Drawing, DIL New York
2007 Distinction in Thesis, BFA, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture
2007 Workshop: pigment making, Miniature painting, Jaipur, India.
2006 First Prize, Naqsh Art Gala, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute, Pakistan
2006 Mural Painting, Lady Dufferin Hospital, NGO Aura, Pakistan
2005 Prop construction, Tehrik-e-Niswan Theatre troupe, Karachi
Work Experience
2014-present freelance writer, publications Dawn Newspaper and Youlin Magazine
2018 Poster, Uff Girl, Fashion film
2017-2018 Associate Artist, Fitzrovia Centre, London
2017 Co-Director, Uff Girl, Fashion film. Formulating Art Program/activities, After-school Arts Club, Fitzrovia Centre, London
2016 Arts program, Teeny Turners, Fitzrovia Centre, London
2015 Author Review, Undoing / Ongoing, Herald Pakistan, November issue. Published 05th November
2013 Independent curator, Rough Around the Edges, Hanmi Gallery, London
2012 Tour guide, Hayward gallery, London
2011 Happy hands – Arts and crafts books, Research, Artwork, Concept and Design
2009-10 The Rising Tide, Visiting Assistant Curator, Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi.
2010 Birth of Pakistan, Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi
2009 The Emperors New Clothes, Collaboration with Naiza H. Khan,Talwar Gallery, New York.
2008- 2010 Visiting Faculty, Fine Art Department, Indus Valley school of Art and Architecture
