masumah · zahra

welcome to my virtual gallery.

artist's note

This collection begins where I do — in the layered, sometimes contradictory experience of being Pakistani, Muslim, and alive in Los Angeles.

These pieces move through Islam and spirituality, sensuality and the sacred, Mughal art and modern life. Some ask heavy questions. Some are just about my day.

As you move through the work, I invite you to sit with a few things: What does spirituality mean to you? How does the Earth shape your practice — or does it? Can eroticism be sacred? Can it be sinful? Can it be both at once?

A note: while my own Islamic upbringing is the ground this work grew from, these pieces aren't prescriptive about faith. They're meant to breathe inside whatever spiritual or religious framework — or absence of one — you bring with you.

This collection spans painting, sculpture, bookmaking, ink, watercolor, and printmaking. Grateful to the professors who taught me these practices, and to everyone willing to look.

Illusion of Prayer, 2020
Illusion of Prayer, 2020Acrylic on canvas36 in. x 48 in.
Jaanamaaz, 2021
Jaanamaaz, 2021Seaweed
Chaos of Sabr, 2021
Chaos of Sabr, 2021India Ink on Rives BFK
Beauty of Sabr, 2021
Beauty of Sabr, 2021India Ink & Gouache on Rives BFK30 in. x 22 in.
Beauty of Sabr, 2021
Beauty of Sabr, 2021Close Up India Ink & Gouache on Rives BFK
Self Portrait, 2021
Self Portrait, 2021Charcoal on Rives BFK30 in. x 22 in.
It All Makes Sense Now!, 2021
It All Makes Sense Now!, 2021Watercolor on Watercolor Paper3 in. x 4 in.
Aashiq-na-Muraad (Unfortunate Lovers), 2022
Aashiq-na-Muraad (Unfortunate Lovers), 2022Digital Print on Rives BFK
Aashiq-na-Muraad, 2022
Aashiq-na-Muraad, 2022Close Up Digital Print on Rives BFK
Aashiq-na-Muraad, 2022
Aashiq-na-Muraad, 2022Digitally Printed Book Spread on Rives BFK
Masumah's Diary, 2022
Masumah's Diary, 2022Mixed Media Book on Rives BFK5 in. x 7 in.
Emerging Beast, 2022
Emerging Beast, 2022Screenprint on Stonehenge
Love Letter to the Earth, 2022
Love Letter to the Earth, 2022Terrarium with Ocean Materials
Eroticism, 2022
Eroticism, 2022Photogravure on Rives BFK8.5 in. x 11 in.
A Smaller Dunya, 2022
A Smaller Dunya, 2022Cyanotype on Arches Plantine
A Smaller Dunya, 2022
A Smaller Dunya, 2022Cyanotype on Arches Plantine
A Smaller Dunya, 2022
A Smaller Dunya, 2022Cyanotype on Arches Plantine
A Smaller Dunya, 2022
A Smaller Dunya, 2022Cyanotype on Arches Plantine
I'm Always Watching, 2022
I'm Always Watching, 2022Cyanotype on Vellum11 in. x 15 in.
I'm Always Watching, 2022
I'm Always Watching, 2022Bleached & Toned Cyanotype on Vellum11 in. x 15 in.
When I Open My Eyes, 2022
When I Open My Eyes, 2022Bleached & Toned Cyanotype on Vellum11 in. x 15 in.
As I Am, 2022
As I Am, 2022Lithography on Lenox
As I Am, 2022
As I Am, 2022Lithography on Lenox
As I Am, 2022
As I Am, 2022Lithography on Lenox