Rising star in the art world

Faiza Hasan’s work is indeed striking. She’s one of the very few in the country who are mixing embroidery with water colours. And that level of detail gives her works a delightful level of intricacy. But she’s all of 26 — In fact it was only in 2014 that she finished her MFA from the University of Hyderabad.

But, she has participated in four group shows, has illustrated books, has been part of a residency and was also part of the prestigious Kochi Biennale as one of the ‘young curators’ in 2014. And she will once again be curating the students’ show in the Kochi Biennale 2016.

“I enrolled for a Mass Communication course in my under-graduation, but then I realised that I was unhappy, so I joined JNAFAU and did my BFA in painting,” says Faiza. What followed that was an MFA in art history, where like her under-graduation, Faiza was once again a gold medalist.

“I was chosen as one of the ‘young curators’ for the Kochi Biennale and then I got busy with shows and in the early part of 2015 I had my art residency in Delhi that was keeping me busy,” says Faiza.

Faiza was part of the Khoj International Artists Association, Peers, earlier this year.

She says, “The experience was tremendous. We got to work alongside other young graduates and we also had a mentor.”

The other big project that is currently keeping her busy is the student art show in the Kochi Biennale. “In 2014 I had applied for the young curator’s post and I had to curate the work of students from Hyderabad. We should have an equally good show in 2016 as well,” she says.

Talking about her artwork she says, “Water colours are quite difficult to work with. And over the period of time, I found myself liking embroidery... so I thought why not mix both. And that’s what I’ve been doing,” she says.

In a world where there is competition in every field, Faiza’s struggles are more “day to day”.

She says, “Yes there are bigger struggles, but I feel that the biggest battle you fight is with yourself. The challenge is to make sure that you go to your studio every single and create something.”

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