A three-person show at Sanat Gallery displayed the works of Saba Nousheen, Sarah Mir, and Shanzay Subzwari.

Saba Nousheen merges traditional art techniques with digital influences such as the world of video games. Through her work, she highlights the essence of traditional art, reinterpreting imaginative game worlds through a nostalgic lens. She shares, “In an ever-evolving landscape of art and entertainment, the term ‘tradigital’ has emerged—a compelling concept that blends traditional art forms with digital mediums. This fusion is particularly evident in the realm of digital games, which have become a dominant form of entertainment in the modern era. For me, playing video games is not a pastime but a source of mental stimulation and relaxation. The strategic thinking required in games can lead to mental growth, while the immersive nature of gaming allows players to lose themselves in a fantastical world. This profound engagement has inspired me to create paintings that merge the traditional with the digital, thus embodying the essence of tradigital art.”

Sarah Mir evokes nostalgia through family photographs, capturing events and moments that are immortalised in her paintings. The traditional idea of a family is often preserved in these pictures and viewed through a nostalgic lens. She juxtaposes these images with a contemporary, playful tone in her work, creating a tension between the past and the present. This new take invites viewers to reflect on the constantly changing dynamics and nature of family and cultural expectations.

Shanzay Subzwari’s work draws inspiration from Mughal Miniature painting, a tradition that has shaped her love for detail and storytelling.

“Over time I have expanded this foundation, incorporating popular culture, socio-economic themes, and currency notes as a layered framework for my ideas. These elements offer a way to explore themes of values, identity, and shifting narratives. I often work across painting, papercutting, and video—finding connections between intricacy, movement, and symbolism. Certain motifs appear organically: flora, birds, and the rose, which for me represents beauty in its most fleeting form. Some of my recent works also explore prayer as a gesture—a quiet link to spirituality and reflection, and asking a bigger entity for guidance. The phoenix, with its themes of renewal, and imagined spaces like Candyland, emerge as ways to navigate both transformation and escape. I am drawn to tales and epics—stories that carry history, wisdom, and emotion across generations. Through my practice, I try to weave together tradition and contemporary thought, allowing each piece to hold its own layered meaning.”

Beautiful, intricately detailed, and poignant, this exhibition leaves viewers amazed at the talent, skill, and passion that is present in our Pakistani artists.

CAPTION
Shanzay Subzwari, If you say, I’m always yours, Gouache on archival print, 18 x 7.8 inches, 2023
Sarah Mir, Untitled - 4, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 26.5 x 31.5 inches
Shanzay Subzwari, Fly, Phoenix, Fly!, Gouache on handmade paper, 11.5 x 8 inches, 2025
Sarah Mir, Untitled - 1, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 inches
Saba Nousheen, Untitled - 7 (triptych), 2025, Gouache on wasli, 20 x 53 inches