14 Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Reports by L N Mallick For events and press releases email [email protected] or L N Mallick Pakistan Prism L N Mallick call (974) 4000 2222 L N Mallick Shehla Khalid : A self-taught artist par excellence Shehla in front of large portraits titled ‘The Great King’ and ‘Sheikh Tamim’ where or an artist, creating a piece of acrylic fluid is used. art means an escape from the real world and not to please oth- Artists do not work to please others, says Shehla, who never got any formal ers, and they believe in pursuing training but has created masterpieces that earned international accolades what they love, says Qatar-based PakistaniF artist Shehla Khalid Khan. Shehla is among those gifted artists who never got any formal training but went on to create masterpieces that earned accolades internationally. She has been drawing pic- tures since her childhood but she started her career as a professional artist some three years ago. Shehla’s art works are greatly influenced by the Qatari culture and tradi- tions, which is amply reflected in her works. While her interest lies in realistic art, she loves to experiment by trying different art techniques. She has created a unique tech- nique and named it ‘Fluid Marbling Art.’ She exhibited her technique to a master class during the Qatar International Art Festival where five international artists were among the participatants. Besides Qatar, she has ex- hibited her paintings in different countries including Italy, Greece, Egypt and Pakistan. The first rain drop 2022: An acrylic fluid She has won many art competitions and re- marbling on canvas ceived a number of awards. She is President of International Action Art, Qatar, which functions under the aegis of Club for UNESCO Shehla receives an award and a medal from the of Piraeus and Islands. She or- president of International Action Art, Greece. ganised the first group exhibi- tion of Pakistani artists at Ka- or college to receive any formal training. tara last year. In an interview with Where were you born and where did Qatar Tribune, Shehla you get formal schooling? shared her inspiring jour- I was born in a beautiful village sur- ney of becoming a successful rounded by mountains and lush green fields artist through her passion for on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital Islama- pursuing art. Excerpts: bad. I did my schooling there.

What is your favourite me- How supportive has been your family dium and what genre of Grace: Oil painting on canvas during your journey? art do you prefer? Even though my parents appreciated my I have tried all sorts of love for art, they never thought I would be- mediums like oil paints, water colours, and come a professional artist one day. The big- mixed media but I love acrylic the most. Shehla poses with an award presented to her by Qatar Foundation. gest turning point of my journey was when The work I create is not based on a specific I got married. My husband convinced me to theme; rather it reflects what attracts me the pursue my love for art as he realised that I most at that particular point of time. could do wonders with my innate talent and become a successful artist. Colours of dawn: Acrylic colours on canvas Who according to you is a true artist? I believe a true artist always focuses on Is painting just a passion for you, or their own path that leads to success. They do you have any plans to sell your art do not have an intention to please others works? through their art, but they believe in pursu- Personally, I have a sentimental attach- ing what they love. To them, creating a piece ment with my art works and prefer not to of art means an escape from the real world. sell these. At the same time, I love to cre- A real artist does not believe in selling their ate work for others and share my talent. I artwork; rather selling their idea is more im- produce customised artworks based on my portant to them. client’s requests.

You seem to be greatly inspired by the Have you have ever received any Arab culture which is abundantly dis- awards? played in your art work. What is the Since I started my journey, I have re- reason for that? ceived several awards. One of the most I love to observe and get inspired by memorable honours I received was Pak-Gulf the nature and my surroundings. Since I Bolan Excellence Performance Award 2019, moved to Qatar, Arab life and its culture Shehla receives Pakistan Engineers Forum’s award from President Javed Iqbal and PIA Country Lahore, Pakistan. Besides that, I got awards has always fascinated me. My love for Qatar Manager Mohammad Raza. during events organised by Pakistan Engi- is reflected in my art. neers Forum, Qatar, Action Art Fair, Rome, King’. It was my first painting. This art- Where did you get formal training in Italy, International Action Art, Athens, What is your best art work and what work followed the marble base abstract painting? Greece, Qatar Foundation, MAPS Interna- themes appeal you the most? technique and it was widely applauded. I have been interested in art since tional and Qatar International Art Festival, Fear: Water colours portrait on A3 paper One of my best artworks is ‘The Great childhood but I never joined any academy Doha Fire station.

Pakistani celebrities at the forefront of the battle against coronavirus akistani celebrities have campaigns since the outbreak of joined the nation in spread- the coronavirus. ing awareness about the Superstars Mahira Khan and precautionary measures in Mehwish Hayat are doing live the battle against the coro- sessions on social media urging Pnavirus (COVID-19), through dif- people to stay home and exercise ferent campaigns. social distancing while following While some film stars and tel- other precautionary measure to evision drama actors regularly fight the virus. send messages to their fans on Beside other initiatives, Paki- social media, others have joined stani celebrities have also joined hands with fashion designers to hands with Pakistan’s noted fash- stitch protective dresses for doc- ion designer Asim Jofa to stitch tors and paramedics. Call To Action film director Faysal Qureshi Mahira-Khan protective dresses for doctors and On the other hand, popular paramedic staff who are in the television artist Faysal Quershi place. The video shows renowned Pakistani musicians forefront of the fight against the released a short movie on You- Pakistani celebrities such as Bilal Maqsood, Faisal pandemic. Tube recently to spread awareness like Hamza Ali Abba- Kapadia and Shehzad Roy, Iqra Aziz, Yasir Hussain, Shani- about the deadly virus that has si, , Hu- holding a conversation era Akram, Sonya Hussain, Ushna shaken the global economy and mayun Saeed, Maya through a phone call and Pakistani celebrities during conversation through phone calls in the movie. Shah, Adnan Siddiqui and many claimed the lives of hundreds of Ali, Sheheryar sharing their course of ac- others have posted their videos on thousands of people. Munawar, Mikaal tion to prevent the deadly Wasim Akram and his wife Shani- cludes with a message by renowned social media where they are seen The two-minute-45-seconds Zulfiqar, Ayesha disease from spreading. era Akram also appear in the mov- scriptwriter Anwar Maqsood, who stitching protective dresses on a video titled ‘Call to action’ was re- Omar, Iqra Aziz, Veteran cricketer ie explaining the precautionary highlights the importance of clean- sewing machine. The protective leased at a time when the Pakistani Yasir Hussain, measures to prevent the spread of liness and urges people to remain equipment, approved by - film industry has suspended all its Zara Noor Abbas, the virus. vigilant during the pandemic. based Jinnah Postgraduate Medi- activities. No shootings for films and Ali Rehman Mehwish The film, made without the help Pakistani celebrities have cal Centre, have been distributed and television dramas are taking Khan along with Hayat of any promotional brand, con- been participating in a number of free of cost.