Artist Spotlight: Nazia Sharif

Nazia Sharif is a British Columbia born artist and designer. Her artwork combines iridescent or textural elements with bold colours, resulting in highly fascinating visual works that sparkle  or change colour when the light hits them.

Artist statement:

I am both an artist and a proud witch. I have been on a spiritual healing journey since starting this work in 2019. My grandfather told me: “Your art is your power and your language. Your heart is your paintbrush, and strokes, your spirituality.” All of my works are created with the intention of processing and transmuting my own creative energy, joy, pain and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed creating each piece and I hope you enjoy them too. 

Painting by Nazia Sharif

Get to know more about Nazia’s process in our Artist Spotlight interview:

Can you tell us about the medium you primarily work with in your art and what led you to create in this way?

At the end of 2018, I fell very ill. I had contracted a super virus which was resistant to antibiotics. The doctors told me my kidneys were only functioning at 40 percent and that my body was fighting a battle it could not win. I thought to myself, “if this is truly the end, I’m going to do what I love which has always been art.” Through YouTube I discovered acrylic pouring - specifically Dutch pouring - a technique I had previously never seen before and which intrigued me. I had extra paint lying around so I wanted to try. I painted small works in my bed. Absolutely ruined my moms oversized baking sheet. (Sorry mom.) But discovered a joy I hadn’t felt in years. This simple act of pouring paint was actually healing my mind, body and soul. 

Painting by Nazia Sharif

Do you have any rituals when you are creating art? 

I cleanse my space. I meditate. I connect to source. And then I’m free to create. 

Where do you find your inspiration for your paintings?

A lot of the paintings with birds or what looks like sky are a symbol of freedom to me. Heaven. I paint a lot of birds flying through a torn sky.

The paintings which look like rivers, or space, or mountainous landscapes are inspired by just that. Inspired by BC itself. 

How has your path been as an artist? What sort of experiences has it led you to that you might not have had otherwise? 

This art journey and my spiritual journey feel one and the same. My art takes me places. My art brings my people to me. This is what I appreciate the most about this journey. Every opportunity that pops up for me seems to be the right one. 

Any goals for your art? How would you like to see yourself evolve?

Painting by Nazia Sharif

I would love to create more installations. I want to collaborate with my people. It’s a pretty lonely journey-both the spiritual path that I find myself on, and the use of art to heal myself. I find solace in doing things alone but a goal for me would be to collaborate with others who “get me”. 

I tend to get into hermit mode when I create, but I absolutely love the people that the universe is connecting me with lately. 

Follow Nazia on Instagram @naziasharif or on TikTok at naziasharif_fineart to see her process.

Nazia’s showcase can be viewed in our studio from Oct 2023, - Jan 2024.