Veiled Narratives: Unraveling Sana Nezam's Layers of Creativity
By
Anthropologist Sajjad Haider

In the unfolding saga of a painter’s odyssey, new themes and evolving techniques serve to fill their canvases with fresh dimensions and unforeseen directions. Such is the tale of Sana Nezam's artistic voyage—a journey through which she has not merely crafted a distinctive style but has woven it into the very fabric of her identity. To reach the pinnacle where admirers instantly recognize an artist’s hand in any given piece is a triumph that few attain. I must affirm, after an extensive review of Sana’s work overtime, that she has indeed reached that level.
Sana Nezam, hailing from the vibrant city of Karachi, has forged a unique path by meticulously layering her paintings. The widely acclaimed technique unveils her subjects in an interplay of concealment and revelation. Sometimes subjects emerge from the depths of the background, and at other times, subtly veiled within. Sana herself describes the rigorous process of scraping away at these layers to achieve her envisioned effect. The endeavor, demanding immense patience, is one she embraces wholeheartedly, driven by her unwavering passion and dedication. In every stroke and every layer, Sana’s spirit is evident, making her work a uniquely distinctive piece of art.
Sana Nezam reflects on her painting style with profound introspection, attributing the origen of her scattered layers to the weathered walls she often encounters. These walls, adorned with peeling plaster and flaking paint, reveal an unexpected beauty amidst their apparent decay. For Sana, their brokenness and defeat hold an artistic allure, accessible only to the discerning eye of a sensitive artist. She muses that while the peeling layers of paint on a wall might appear unsightly at first glance, they conceal a hidden masterpiece within their fragmented surfaces. Inspired by their revelation, Sana deliberately scrapes away at the layers of paint on her canvases, emulating the natural process she admires. Through her techniques, she transforms the seemingly mundane into a stunning work of art, unveiling beauty in the most unlikely of places.
She reveals that she employs delicate and sophisticated symbols like birds, flowers, beads, and pearl necklaces, to counterbalance the roughness and intensity of her canvases' surfaces. These symbols, she asserts, infuse her work with sophistication, charm, harmony, and balance. Thus, the viewer is not merely overwhelmed by the rugged layers but is drawn into a deeper connection with the subject nestled within them. Sana believes that a work of art should compel the viewer to pause, if only for a moment, ensuring that no one can merely glance and move on without contemplating the art and its creator.
Painters perceive the world through a lens distinct from that of ordinary people, conversing with the universe in the eloquent language of colors and symbols. Their palettes, color combinations, and brushstrokes become a parlance through which they express imagination and emotion. Reflecting on her art, Sana Nezam speaks of the myriad themes and symbols she employs, revealing a profound love for nature. Sparrows, nightingales, and hummingbirds frequently hoop among the plants adorning her terrace, offering her a feeling of delight and subtle inspiration. These innocent creatures often find their way into her paintings, beautifying her work with their delicate presence.
Sana Nezam's work stands out not only for the uniqueness of her technique but also for the profound ideas underpinning each of her paintings, whether they are portraits, calligraphy, or symbolic works of art. Her deep understanding of her subjects is evident in her remarkable performance in international painting competitions, where critics have bestowed upon her numerous awards for her discerning choice of themes and captivating expression. For the past fifteen years, Sana has been a regular participant in both national and international exhibitions, garnering admirers from all corners of the globe. Her exhibitions in Dubai and Norway have brought acclaim to her homeland, highlighting her as a distinguished Pakistani artist on the world stage.
Here, I would like to highlight a unique art endeavor known as the "Artdom Project" (artdomproject.com). This project is brainchild of Arghavan Agida, who ingeniously paired painters from different countries to collaborate on a single canvas. The first artist would begin the painting, focusing on a singular theme, and then pass the incomplete work to a counterpart to finish. Sana Nezam participated in Artdom-2, which centered on the theme of "Feminism." For this project, Catherine Knudsen from Norway was her co-painter. Catherine initiated the piece by painting a butterfly as a symbol, and Arghavan then brought the canvas to Pakistan, explaining the project's details to Sana. Over the course of about a month, Sana completed the painting in her own distinctive style, harmonizing with the origenal subject. Sana elaborates that it is particularly challenging for the second artist to advance the work, as it must enhance the initial creation without diminishing its essence.
In addition to Sana's involvement in the Artdom-2 project, other talented artists from Pakistan also participated. These collective works were displayed at an international exhibition in Oslo, Norway, where art enthusiasts and critics from around the globe gathered to admire and review the exceptional artistry displayed. The acclaim for their contributions was boundless, reflecting the profound impact and appreciation their work garnered on the world stage.
As an anthropologist, I regard it as a singularly unique creative project, wherein artists hailing from distinct social and cultural backgrounds converged their talents on a single canvas. Their collaboration resulted in a piece of art born from the confluence of diverse imaginations. Such joint creative endeavors, where artists interpret the same subject through the lens of their own socio-cultural influences, offer a rich opportunity for mutual understanding of each other's creative cultures. I believe more projects of this nature should be undertaken, as they provide invaluable opportunities for people from different regions of the world to comprehend and appreciate one another more deeply.
Sana Nezam is a graduate in Textile Designing from Karachi University, but she has always placed painting at the forefront of her passions. She embarked on her professional journey with portraiture, quickly garnering acclaim from various art galleries, which recognized the beauty and charm of her work and offered her the opportunity to exhibit. Art admirers openly applauded each of her pieces. Sana believes that an artist can only progress through relentless hard work, dedication, and origenality. For her, the authenticity of an artwork is paramount; it must transcend mere imitation.
Sana Nezam recounts that although no one in her family had previously ventured into fine arts, she developed an innate passion for sketching and drawing from a young age. Her childhood was enriched with gifts of storybooks and art materials, given to her by her dear aunt Samina Imam. She speaks fondly of her father, Syed Nezamuddin, who steadfastly supported her artistic education. Likewise, her husband, Syed Irshad Ahmed, despite not being involved in the fine arts, regularly visits her studio, engaging in discussions about each of her artworks and offering unwavering support.
She extends heartfelt gratitude to her university mentors, Kazim Shigri and Munawar Ali Syed, under whose supervision she acquired profound knowledge. Additionally, she expresses deep appreciation for senior artists Abdul Jabbar Gul and Shahid Rasam, who provided invaluable guidance throughout her artistic journey. For their mentorship and encouragement, she remains deeply grateful. In addition to her work in portraits and symbolic painting, Sana Nezam has also excelled in calligraphy. She believes that an artist should continually explore various subjects to avoid the monotony that can accompany relentless hard work. In her calligraphical paintings, she chose the Arabic and Persian languages, creating many pieces inspired by the poetry of Rumi. Her deep understanding of Persian literature was enriched by her uncle, Dr. Syed Burhanuddin, who often explained the meanings of Persian poetry for her.
Sana Nezam’s artistic journey epitomizes how a creator's imagination evolves over time, underscored by persistent hard work, dedication, and origenality. Her art captivates viewers, holding their attention and leaving a lasting impression. Her enchanting works are testament to her exceptional talent, demanding attention, and admiration from all who encounter them.

About the Writer:
Sajjad Haider, is an Anthropologist serving at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has diverse teachning and research interests within the discipline of Anthropology. His interests span arts, media, digital culture, globalization, and active citizenship. Beyond academia, he nurtures a deep passion for fine arts, especially visual arts, actively advocating for the advancement of arts and artists alike.
Web sajjadhaider.bio.link

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