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.
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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
Artist Statement: I am my own muse. "Creating is a necessity; motivation is to impress myself." I paint to solve the puzzles of my brain, giving me a sense of power and control over the world around me—an understanding I acquired at an early age. The amalgamation of cultural experiences has compelled layers and colors in my work.
Storytelling in art, particularly through buses, was a significant part of my upbringing. After completing my BFA from Texas State, my journey led me to Houston, where I actively engaged in the field as an artist.
I paint because I cannot write, choosing to express myself through visual mediums. Consequently, I strive to create works that reveal the world through my eyes, showcasing my preferences and aversions. My art fluctuates between celebrating life and unveiling its darker facets, employing color, lines, and shapes to articulate a language that transcends the limitations of written expression.
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
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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
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Project Article: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-a-familys-charming-texas-getaway
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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.
Press
Zahra Ali in the Spotlight: Noteworthy Press Mentions
Explore the latest press coverage and media mentions of Zahra Ali, the accomplished artist from Houston. From exhibitions to community initiatives, dive into the diverse stories capturing Zahra's artistic journey, all curated in one place for your convenience. Click here to discover the compelling narratives and recognition she has garnered across various news sites and publications.