I paint to forge meaningful connections with the earth beneath my feet and to build new memories through light and colour. For me, painting is akin to writing poetry—each mark a verse, each stroke a line. The love and peace in Rumi’s poetry echo in my creative spirit.
About me
Born and raised in Pakistan, I have always been drawn to art. I remember how, as a girl child, restrictive conditions often confined me indoors, forbidden to play on the streets after a certain age. This solitude, however, became a gateway to endless hours of drawing and painting, allowing my imagination to flourish.
Now a UK-based artist, I was born in Lahore and graduated in Pakistan with a major in Miniature Painting. In 2020, I completed my MA in Fine Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University with distinction. Over the years, I have exhibited extensively in galleries and biennales worldwide, including the Asia Triennial Manchester, Art Contact, and the Istanbul Art Fair in 2021. In 2018, I was shortlisted for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize, and in 2016, I was invited to display my work at the Colombo Biennale in Sri Lanka. I have also been nominated for the Jameel Art Prize.
My artistic journey has seen an evolution from the intricate details of miniature painting to large, experimental abstract works inspired by nature and emotions.
My Painting Process
My work is a dance between inner emotions and the natural world, where colour and light sing their own melodies. The process is fluid, driven by instinct and intuition. I might begin with a walk in the hills, a photograph, a sketch, or the whisper of a distant memory. Yet, as I stand before the canvas, it is the painting itself that guides me, leading me down unexpected paths and revealing hidden stories.
At the heart of my work lies the warm embrace of an orange underpainting, a tribute to home and the warmth it embodies. Upon this foundation, I layer colour and texture, allowing time and patience to shape each piece. I build and peel back, adding depth and history, letting the artwork breathe and evolve. My approach is ever-experimental, often foregoing traditional tools to let my hands become the bridge between thought and creation.
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Reviews
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I Love Saima’s painting looking over Llyn Ogwen and it looks even more stunning now it’s hung than I expected. The colours are gorgeous and the mountains in the distance with wisps of clouds are beautiful. The picture is full of light and hope and makes me smile whenever I look at it. 
This place has a particularly personal meaning to me as it’s the valley my brother used to love the best when on jet training at RAF valley – Saima’s wonderful picture evokes lots of happy memories for me and I love having it on my wall. Thank you so much Saima. It really is beautiful. 
Caroline E.
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