seyhr qayum
Born in Chicago, IL, 1991
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY
Seyhr's practice explores matters of identity politics, as she moves between liberal and conservative societies. Within this larger framework, her art focuses on the "South Asian woman's" sense of self, especially as informed by South Asian culture and Islamic dogma. Conceptually, her work uses lived experience as a point of departure--that she translates into more universally accessible visuals--often emphasizing the theatricality of striving to adhere to bizarre societal norms and expectations.
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2022 MFA Painting, Pratt Institute, NY
Merit Scholarship
Pratt Artists' League Co-coordinator
2013 BFA Painting, Boston University, MA
Dean’s List
2011 Scuola Internazionale Di Grafica, Venice, Italy
BU Study Abroad Program
Shows:
Solo:
2018 We're All Mad Here, Canvas Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan
2015 - Present Lamb Building, Middle Temple, London, UK
Group:
2019 Exhibition of Graduate Works, The Pfizer Building, Pratt Institute, NY
Steuben Gallery, Pratt Institute, NY, USA
Pakistan at 100, World Bank Office, Islamabad, PK
Contemporary Pakistan, World Bank Office, Islamabad, PK
Eye for Art, TX
2018 River in an Ocean, Lahore Biennale; Collateral Event, The Creative Process, Lahore, PK
2017 Occupying the Third Space, Satrang Gallery, Islamabad, PK
2016 Ato Nexus, Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo, JP
2015 About Time, Al-Hamra Arts Council, Lahore, PK
Pakistan National Council of Arts, Islamabad, PK
National College of Arts Faculty Show, CAG, Islamabad, PK
2013 BU Graduation Show, Boston, MA
BU College of Fine Arts Graduation Entrance Display, Boston, MA
2012-13 Foundation for Open America, Boston, MA
2012 BU College of Fine Arts Entrance Display, Boston, MA
BU Fall Show, Boston, MA
Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad, PK
2011 Studio Night, Venice, IT
Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad, PK
BU Undergrad Fall Show, Boston, MA
Current Professional Roles / Projects:
Events and Programming Coordinator, American Pakistan Foundation
Curator at Zaaman Art
Associate Editor at SAAG Anthology
Previous Work Experience:
2020 Co-founder + Curator, Prints for Pandemic Relief Pakistan
2019 - 20 Graduate Assistant; Anatomy Drawing; Figure Painting, Pratt Institute, NY
2016 - 18 Visual Media Consultant at the Jinnah Institute, Islamabad, PK
2015 - 16 Copywriter at Synergy Advertising - Dentsu Aegis Network, Islamabad, PK
Additional Experience:
2019 The Future of Desi Lit; Panelist; AAWW; Brooklyn Book Festival, NY
2018 Making Art in the Capital, Artist Talk; Kuch Khaas, Islamabad, PK
2016 Ato Nexus; Artist in Residence; Tokyo, JP
Publications:
2017 When Did "Feminism" Become An Unspeakable Word?; Blue Chip
2015 Who Did You Paint That For?; Blue Chip
2014 Thinking Outside the Box; Architecture Design Art
Why Do We Love the Abstracted Woman?; Blue Chip
Pakistani Street Art; Blue Chip
What It’s Like To Be An Artist; Blue Chip
2012 Varying Art Assessment Standards in An Era Where “Anything Goes”; Architecture Design Art
Select press/media reviews of latest exhibitions:
WE'RE ALL MAD HERE:
Nigaah Art Magazine, Edition 79 (Painting from exhibition printed on cover)
Exhibtion coverage, review and artist interview, Geo TV
RIVER IN AN OCEAN:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1355010