Drawing upon my profound affinity for Islamic architecture and scriptures, I embarked on a transformative artistic journey for my final-year project, aiming to delve beyond superficial interpretations and explore the intricate interplay of politics and emotions surrounding the partition of Hindustan.
Titled “Do Places We Miss, Miss Us Too,” my final piece is a meticulous recreation of a street reminiscent of old Hindustan, drawing inspiration from the evocative streets of Lahore Jhalander and Karachi, as well as iconic monuments like Badshahi Masjid, Heera Mandi, and the Walled City in Lahore. Through this artistic endeavour, my intention was to conjure an immersive representation of what I envisioned a pre-partition street would exude before the momentous division that delineated India and Pakistan in 1947. The impetus for my research stemmed from Peter Frankopan’s illuminating work, “The New Silk Roads,” which critically examines the ramifications of British colonisation in India and the consequential partition of Pakistan and India. As a devout Muslim with a profound personal connection to Pakistan, the subject matter resonated deeply within me, evoking a profound sense of emotional resonance and introspection.
In my quest for a concept that would infuse my art with personal significance, I found inspiration in the works of visionary artists such as Mohamad Hafez and Joshua Smith, whose thought-provoking responses to societal issues ignited a creative spark within me, propelling me to embark on the creation of a truly distinctive and impactful final project.
I also had a video that plays behind my piece, as seen in the pictures; however, the Vimeo website sadly isn’t working for my video. I have attached a link to an Instagram account where only the video has been uploaded. It can be viewed separately if you want to.
“There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground; there are a thousand ways to go home again.” RUMI
Hover the mouse over the quote to hear the audio I played during my exhibition, which explains the challenges my grandparents faced while experiencing the Partition in 1947.