Sabrina Amrani presents ‘The Water Is Never Still’, Wardha Shabbir’s first solo exhibition in Spain. Wardha Shabbir’s work, initially resembling vibrant portraits of nature, is more than static representations. Rooted in the process of growth and evolution, her paintings transcend mere imagery to embody resilience and hope.
Shabbir’s canvases, resembling maps with intricate details of leaves, dots, and lines, invite viewers to explore dynamic spaces within them. Through a play of dualities, she merges organic forms with structured geometry, blurring the lines between reality and perception. Within her paradisiacal landscapes, Shabbir skillfully weaves symbols of loss and despair alongside elements of hope and survival. Light, passages, and enclosures convey a narrative of resilience amidst adversity. The artist’s manipulation of dimensions and angles reflects the interplay between reality and emotion, suggesting that true connections transcend traditional boundaries of space and time.
Central to Shabbir’s compositions is the lush vegetation, symbolising human connections and interdependence. Like the intricate ecosystem of a forest, each element nourishes the other, sharing essential elements like air, water, and light. Through her art, Shabbir invites us to embrace the beauty of nature and find gratitude in its ever-evolving splendor.
Ultimately, her work urges viewers to embody the perseverance of a tree, to find resilience and “inner bloom” amidst life’s challenges. By allowing ourselves to persist and grow like the trees in Shabbir’s paintings, we can cultivate a deeper connection to nature and to each other, fostering a sense of gratitude and resilience in the face of adversity.
About Wardha Shabbir
Wardha Shabbir’s art celebrates resilience, depicting lush nature as a symbol of endurance and renewal. Her intricate works reflect an ecosystem where elements coexist in cycles of growth and change. Shabbir’s visual exploration of spaces and dimensions serves as a bridge between physical and mental realms. For her, the canvas extends beyond its borders, offering continuity and new “spaces” within paintings themselves, filled with passages and light. Through her art, Shabbir navigates the past and future, using her creations as maps to reconnect with herself. A National College of Arts graduate, she’s showcased internationally, with pieces in esteemed collections like the British Museum and Kiran Nadar Museum. Her solo exhibitions, including “If A Tree Could Wander” and “The Water You Seek,” highlight her acclaim and recognition, with nominations for prestigious awards like the Jameel Prize and the Sovereign Art Prize.
Location: Sabrina Amrani Gallery, Calle Madera, 23
Dates: 27 January – 16 March 2024
Caption featured image: Wardha Shabbir, Detail of Moving In With Light, 2024, Gouache on acid free paper, 76 x 76 x 76 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Sabrina Amrani