Born in Pakistan, Shahzia Sikander studied traditional Indian miniature painting
before coming to the U.S. to further her education. Once here, she began to
add loosely painted symbols, often Hindu-based, on top of the detailed and
precise forms of her miniature paintings. Western imagery also appeared, fusing
with the Eastern elements and transforming the stagnant, redundant tradition of
the miniature into something multifaceted, dynamic, and relevant to contempo-
rary experience. In recent years, Sikander has expanded her mediato include
digital animations and large-scale wall paintings and installations.

Sikander's newest body of work involves fluid inks and washes on clay-coated
paper. The imagery is inspired by the composite tradition of miniature painting
in which multiple creatures are joined like puzzle pieces to create the shape of
an animal. In Sikander's work, forms and figures flow together, morphing and
fusing, growing and separating, in a fluid, open-ended, and spontaneous
process. The approximately 40 pieces that comprise the exhibition can be seen
as one continuous drawing, simultaneously precise, ephemeral and boundless.

Sikander's work was recently included in the Istanbul Biennial, a two-person
exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum, and the "Drawing Now" show at The
Museum of Modern Art, New York.

related article:
Sikander and O'Reilly showing at Hosfelt
by Kenneth Baker
San Francisco Chronicle
January 10, 2004