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artist interview

Shah Numair Ahmed Abbasi is a multidisciplinary artist and a freelance writer who lives and works in Karachi. He completed his BFA with a distinction from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in 2014 and has since exhibited both locally and internationally which made his mark in the art world. In addition to painting, his desire to learn the French language earned him a diploma from the French Ministry of Education. Abbasi is a full-time visual artist who evaluates art shows for a variety of publications. He was the recipient of the Gasworks Pakistan Residency 2018 in London, and An-tropical Artists Residency 2019 in Stein fort. He was a Visiting Artist Fellow of the Laxmi Mittal South Asian Institute at Harvard University, Cambridge in 2020. He has been writing reviews and discourses on art for various publications since 2015 and was the art writer in residence for Vasl Artists ‘Association’s 13th ‘Taaza Tareen Residency Program’ in 2021. His practice draws on popular culture, anecdotes and colloquialisms to stage personal and social narratives in attempts to challenge the politics behind how gender is socially constructed and performed. The figure of the male nude is a recurring theme, often presented in ways that undermine or question idealised masculine virtues. He repurposes dating apps to investigate the dynamics of fragile spaces where interactions are dislocated, ephemeral, and motive-driven. And in doing so, explores human behaviour and interaction especially amongst the queer community as a conditioned performance. Abbasi currently teaches at a private O level institution and as well as at his alma mater. This week You! dives into the art world with Shah Numair Ahmed Abbasi who talks about his artwork and sheds light on art residencies…

You! What kind of work have you produced so far?

Shah Numair Ahmed Abbasi: I want to say, so far, 80 per cent of my work has been drawings. That doesn’t mean I don't dabble in other mediums as well, far from it. I have, sort of, done photography, and I have also done digital works like video. I have even worked on an interactive installation and a couple of sculptures. So, I would like to say that my work is very varied.

You! Which is your favourite medium out of all?

SNAA: When I’m working, I put a lot of thought when it comes to using a suitable medium to convey an idea or what I'm trying to say through my work. I do not lock or confine myself in this regard; I don't choose only drawing to convey an idea. If my message or idea can be communicated more effectively in a video, I don’t feel the need to create a drawing. So, it depends on that sort of way.

You! What projects are you currently working on?

SNAA: So, I’m currently working on two or three projects. Out of the two projects I am working on, one is in its research stage. So, I’m collecting information and data and just reading up on it. I’m looking at how subversive and radical TikTok is, and how it’s a threat to the state. Because I started work with gender, sexuality, and masculinity or femininity, I’m looking at how gender and sexuality are expressed on TikTok.

You! Where do you get ideas from?

SNAA: All the ideas I get are very anecdotal. The idea may be derived from something I have experienced or something I witnessed, or maybe I’m having an interaction with someone, and they have said something. It's the shared perspective that makes you sit down and think. So, the scale of personal experiences, societal experiences, and popular culture plays a big part.

You! What is an artist residency?

SNAA: An artist residency could be an organisation, or it could even be an individual. It’s the time you spend in a particular place and make work during that time. So, it allows you to shift and move away from your usual studio space. This gives you time to research, create, or network. It also allows you to break away from your usual practice and experiment with other things, which you do during an artist residency. It also becomes an excellent opportunity to meet new people and connect, whether in Pakistan or outside.

You! How does a typical residency work?

SNAA: There are different types of residency. One type may require you to do work and have an exhibition at the end. There are also process-based residencies that are more focused on you experimenting, researching, collecting your thoughts and then unpack all of that later. A residency might be fully or partially funded. It can be as little as two weeks to even as long as two years.

You! How are artists selected for a residency?

SNAA: To be selected, you’ll have to write a proposal. You also have to send your portfolio, artist statement, and motivation letter to explain why you want to do that residency. The selection is carried out on a merit basis, but they are also looking at who could benefit from that opportunity the most, whose interests match with their interests.

You! How to find a creative residency that fits your needs?

SNAA: Firstly, obviously, we need to identify our needs. Do you want to work and create or do you want to research? What topics and subjects are you interested in? Do you want the residency to be fully-funded? Is there a particular location where you want to go? Is the residence you are considering open for the kind of work you produce – schematically or medium-wise? So, you'll have to filter out all that information.

You! What should artists look for when deciding what residency to apply for?

SNAA: The main things you need to look for is; Is it fully funded or partially funded? For how long is the residency for? Will you be able to take out time for it? Where is it located? If not in your hometown, can you manage to be away? Is it offering what you want to do or are interested in doing? Some residencies have their requirements that you have to see.

You! What are some of the top residencies in Pakistan that artists can apply to?

SNAA: Keep a very close watch on Vasl Artists Association. They are part of a triangle network, which is a network of different residency organisations internationally. In Lahore, there’s ‘Mantiq on the Mantis’. There's one called ‘Dastan Goi’. So, yes, there are a handful of residencies in Pakistan when you begin your search.

You! What are your top 5 tips for getting into a residency?

SNAA: Doing the research is essential. Maybe you could suggest in the application that you have read up on them to give a good impression; Write an extreme proposal. This is one of the essential parts of any application. Keep it concise, straightforward, and to the point. Don’t add unnecessary jargon; focus on simple and easy-to-understand language; Follow the rules. All these applications will have certain restrictions, so you'll need to follow them strictly; One size doesn’t fit all. So, do not send the same proposal to different residencies. So, you'll have to rewrite the applications and proposals for every residency according to requirements and interests; Keep applying. Your chances of getting into a residency only increase if you keep applying, so don't get disheartened.