Hira Mansur

Lives and works in Lahore, Pakistan

Artist statement

As part of our rigorous training in miniature paintings we relentlessly practiced copying classic works of the Mughal courts between the16th -19th centuries. The quest was to master the painstaking techniques and translate these regimens of labor-intensive skill and precision in our own imagery. These techniques were originally confined to making miniatures either as book illustrations or single works to keep in albums. I use customary squirrel hairbrushes and vasli - a handmade paper, which consists of multiple layers of papers glued together archaically. My practice instinctively creates a connection with these traditional practices in every medium and/or scale I work with - such as the needle piercing used in ‘-Procrastinating-’ and ‘-Follow The Follower-’. The collage ‘-Gift Pack-’ and ‘-It’s A Girl-’ (a four inch clay sculpture) are also arduous works. I paint delicate watercolors that are laboriously built in many layers. These hyperrealist paintings are more detailed than the reference images. In some of my works I have combined painted imagery with images rendered in needle pricks. The idea is to communicate the sentiments of an infertile woman in contrast with cultural realities. My inspiration is rooted in my personal history as an adopted child and my adoptive mother who found solace in sewing. Surrealist collages and the process of hybridization, which permeates my work, also influence me. I generate a sense of surprise, allure in my work for the viewer to...

Artwork