TY Note: Shahzia Sikander by Bushra Gill

“When we began sheltering in place, I had more time to work in my studio. I got to thinking about the many artists I have learned from and been inspired by over the years, especially those from my early years as an artist. Shahzia Sikander is a well-known artist now who I met at the beginning of her career. From her work, I learned a way of keeping true to heritage while melding with the visual language of an adopted homeland. I began making thank you notes to artists in their studios, sometimes using image transfers of photos of them, which I then printed on top of with drypoint etched plates, and then adding paint to the printed pattern. By tessellating the image into patterns, I am sharing the inspiration of seeing other artists working to get to my own work.” – Bushra Gill