Today we’d like to introduce you to Zahra Ammar
Hi Zahra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My art is a way of connecting on a level beyond words. I create to breathe color and life into ideas, sparking conversations and moments of wonder through my work. My goal is to engage viewers, ignite curiosity, and infuse a sense of wonder into each piece I craft.
From a young age, I’ve been immersed in creative pursuits, driven by an unquenchable curiosity. I’ve always explored how things are made, experimented with various techniques, and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in art. As a child, I struggled to express my thoughts verbally, turning to art as a form of self-expression. Art has the unique power to communicate what words cannot, satisfying our human need for connection. Even the richest languages can fall short in capturing certain emotions and moments, but for me, art fills these gaps perfectly.
Growing up in the culturally vibrant city of Karachi, I learned a variety of crafts from local artisans, including block printing, embroidery, silk painting, and pottery. After earning a business degree and moving to the Middle East, I found inspiration in the stark desert landscapes and intricate geometric patterns, which significantly influenced my artistic style. Over the past decade, working from my studios in California and now Texas, I have developed a distinctive style that captures the essence of the natural and geometric beauty around us.
As an avid hiker, I am continuously drawn to the vibrant wildflowers and the dynamic interplay of greenery that unfolds in nature’s symphony. These moments, where the wilderness quietly reveals its truths, fuel my creative process. In every leaf, petal, and branch, I observe a fascinating interaction of shapes and patterns. This close observation has deepened my appreciation for the inherent geometry in all things—from the intricate symmetry of a flower to the sweeping curves of landscapes. Nature, with its meticulous and often overlooked details, unveils a universal order and beauty that is both vast and minute in scope.
My art centers around themes of nature, flora, and geometry, reflecting these profound connections. The natural world is not just a source of inspiration but a rich dialogue within my work. Through my art, I aim to share this inspiration, inviting others to see the wonder and structure that nature so effortlessly weaves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I was very fortunate to connect with a lot of great people over the internet and have people look and love my art from all around the world. I have gotten great leads out of that as well. However, art is meant to be experienced in real life, specially as the work I do is 3D. It has been a interesting figuring out how to get my work seen in more spaces, specially in Texas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mostly work with paper and pigments. Paper is so versatile. It is also very forgiving. You can bend, cut, poke, fold, paint on it, shred it and put it back to together, just so many things one can do! It has the potential to give depth and structure, create moods and shadows, and weave a story.
I have developed a unique style of painting with paper using traditional paper quilling techniques but have developed my own style of contemporary and modern techniques as well. I also explore the dimensionality of paper using 3D engineering to make geometric pieces.
I am most proud of my Alchemy series. I have been these 3D pieces for a number of years now and To figure out some of them can take me a couple of years. Alchemy is the age old predecessor of chemistry, where the Alchemist was on a quest to turn different elements into gold. The path of experimentation was an obsession and an unattainable goal. However, it was a dream that was meant to be uncovered. Within the ‘process’ lay the treasure and the wise Alchemist knew that.
These pieces are inspired by and are a quest for what can be possible.
I try to experiment forms and embark on a quest for symmetry and structure. I am an explorer of boundaries and openings. The maker who skews traditions and creates what she dreams, and shares it to transform.
I am also in a deep relationship with colors and pigments, creating artisanal watercolors with semiprecious minerals and foraged rocks. Color is a huge part of my story, akin to characters in a novel that interplay with each other to tell the viewer the plot.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have a degree in business and art was what I always wanted to end up with. So a lot of people, starting with family and friends came in to help me figure out and support the vision. My husband is my biggest supporter, critic, and art installer.
There are a lot of artists I have met who have helped me figure out certain things, teachers I have learnt from and online resources.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ZahraAmmar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zahraammarart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZammarDesigns/
