I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan with a population of over 15 million. In this urban metropolis, storytelling was iconography on public buses.
Zahra Ali, Artist
Zahra Ali
Painting to me is solving puzzles of my brain, I want to be able to portray the people, events, and colors that have inspired me.
Art has been around me all my life. As a seamstress, my mom had me tracing designs on clothes since I was 3 years old. Growing up in Pakistan, busses showcase ancestral origins with lines of poetry interwoven with ethnic iconography.
As an adult, my formal art education began at Texas State University, San Marcos. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialty in painting. Since then I have spent a decade working on commissioned artwork on walls, floors, and ceilings. This trade has allowed me to develop and share my skills as an artist, while also working on my own collection of dozens of acrylic and ink on canvas paintings.
Artist Statement
Painting to me is solving puzzles of my brain. It gives me a sense of power as I can attempt to control the world around me. This realization came to me at an early age. As such, my combination of cultural experiences manifest as layers and colors in my work.
I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan with a population of over 15 million. In this urban metropolis, storytelling was iconographed on public busses. Busses are more than a mode of transport for those inside; they are a joyous sight to passers-by that share a story. In a system where bus drivers own their busses, drivers would decorate the bus exteriors to showcase their ancestral origins with lines of poetry interwoven with ethnic iconography.
After doing BFA in Painting from Texas State, my move to Houston and work in the field as an artist over the past decade has been a journey of self-discovery reflected in my work.
I paint to express. I try to create pieces that show the world through my lense; my likes and dislikes. There are times where life is celebrated, and at times I show life’s dark side with a hint of color.
Professional Career
Painter
Zahra Ali Art
Jan 2006 - Present
I paint to express. I try to create pieces that show the world through my lens; my likes and dislikes. There are times where life is celebrated, and at times I show life’s dark side with a hint of color.
Art Director
Jan 2021 - Present
Indus Arts Council promotes awareness of Pakistani arts and culture in the U.S. through Urdu language classes, cultural events, films, and theatre. We collaborate with teachers, visual and performing artists in the U.S. and Pakistan to share and broaden the lens of societal expression. As Naksh Program Art Director, I develop the curriculum for teaching art that creates a cultural exchange between the diverse communities in Houston and, later, nationwide in the U.S.
Resident Artist | Gallerist
Oct 2018 - Present
Besides displaying my Art I get studio space to work on creating new pieces, it is an opportunity for me to share space, work together with other Houston-based artists and to get feed back about my work and the gallery's visitors get to enjoy the new Art. You can Vist us at 1305 Sterrett St, Houston, TX 77002.
Faux Finish Artist
Hannon Design
Feb 2012 - Present
Faux finish, example bricks, marbling, glazing, sky, stenciling, metallic and more
Art Therapy | Instructor
Oct 2018 - Present
I do online and on-location creation of art/painting. Specially made painting for your event that will be unique, limited edition exclusive in my style.
Faux Finish Artist
PD Designs
May 2018 - Jun 2018
Painted 2000 Sq ft of floor at a ranch house in Bellville, TX . Got a chance to work again with my mentor Chris Pearson well renowned NY-based faux finish artist after our first project in 2008. Interior Designer for the project was another famous New Yorker Miles Red
Project Article: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-a-familys-charming-texas-getaway
Project Article: https://www.veranda.com/decorating-ideas/g946/texas-traditional-house/
Segreto Finishes
Nov 2018 - Mar 2020
Decorative and faux finish painting on walls, ceiling, and floors. Restore and refinish furniture, for Example; stenciling, texturing, designs, marbling, and plaster.