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Saira Wasim was born in 1975 in Lahore, and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the National College of Arts there in 1999.

Wasim’s body of work is characterized by small size paintings yet extremely powerful images, which can perhaps be considered a visual oxymoron: epic miniatures. In her paintings, the artist manages to capture her characters mid-action, and these pieces, executed in a rigorous traditional style,...
Saira Wasim was born in 1975 in Lahore, and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the National College of Arts there in 1999.

Wasim’s body of work is characterized by small size paintings yet extremely powerful images, which can perhaps be considered a visual oxymoron: epic miniatures. In her paintings, the artist manages to capture her characters mid-action, and these pieces, executed in a rigorous traditional style, become a suitable stage for larger-than-life human dramas.

Wasim’s works narrates tales of our world as it deteriorates day by day, and her characters, who represents this degeneration, move and act in a grand style sometimes with almost grotesque characteristics.

Through her work, the artist subtly expresses her desire for political and social reform. However, if we move past the initial dark and ironic layers of Wasim’s miniature paintings, we find rays of hope and even comic relief in some works.

Saira Wasim has exhibited her work world-wide. Her solo exhibitions include ‘Saira Wasim: Epic Miniatures’ at Ameringer & Yohe Fine Arts, New York, in 2008; and ‘Political Carousel’ at South Western University, Texas, in 2005. Among the group exhibitions in which her works have been featured are those at California State University, Fullerton, in 2008; ‘Double Consciousness’ at the Mattress Factory Art Museum, Pittsburgh, in 2007; ‘Tradition/Collision’ at Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Alfred University, NY, in 2007; ‘Karkhana: A Contemporary Collaboration, at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, in 2006; ‘Transcendent Contemplations’ at Green Cardamom, London, in 2004; and at Rohtas II Gallery, Lahore, in 2003.

The artist lives and works in Chicago.

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