Finding Home in Chaos

Artist Statement

In my recent paintings, I explore the intimate yet chaotic world of residential spaces. These paintings explore the essence of urban living, where personal and communal areas blend. My paintings capture the movement and energy of these spaces, giving a real and honest look at the lives of the people who live there.

I focus on small details to show the beauty and complexity of these places. Crowded rooms and narrow streets, filled with mundane objects and meaningful moments, create a picture of life that feels both familiar and unique. I want my paintings to make viewers think about their own experiences with home, space, and community.

By focusing on the chaotic nature of these residential areas, I hope to convey a sense of resilience and adaptability inherent in urban life. Each piece is a testament to how people transform limited spaces into places of comfort, identity, and belonging.

Zahra is a visual artist based in Lahore, Pakistan. She earned her Fine Arts degree from the National College of Arts, Lahore, in 2014 and completed her Master’s in Art and Design from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, in 2019. Over the past eleven years, she has been painting professionally and has participated in numerous group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. She has also been a part of the Sanat Initiative Residency (2014), Vasl Artists’ Association Summer Residency (2019), and Dastangoi Residency (2021).

Through her detailed compositions, Zahra explores the private spaces of old-town residential areas, capturing both architectural elements and personal narratives. Her work transforms everyday settings into symbolic spaces that reflect stories of light, space, and life. By depicting these worn interiors, she bridges the emotional and visual realms, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationship between memory and space in urban life.