Qissa Interviews: Three South Asian Artists

Hema Shironi, Sri Lanka, Multi-Disciplinary Artist

Hema Shironi's (pictured above) wide-ranging artistic practice explores concepts of cultural identity. Her work is deeply rooted in observance of the history of colonisation, civil war, displacement and migration, which she highlights through personal stories and experiences of living in Sri Lanka. As a child, her family often moved from one place to another and she eventually found herself questioning the bonds that communities and individuals make. Her work is driven by the nostalgia of the numerous places she has called home and how each community belonging to those places grapples with concerns of language, culture, memory, myth, gender and equality.

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Tayeba Begum Lipi, Bangladesh, Multi-Disciplinary Artist

Tayeba Begum Lipi creates paintings, prints, videos and installations articulating themes of female marginality and the female body. Her sculptural works re-creating everyday objects including beds, strollers, wheelchairs and women’s undergarments use unexpected materials, such as safety pins and razor blades. This purposeful and provocative choice of materials speaks to the violence facing women in Bangladesh, as well as referencing tools used in childbirth in the more underdeveloped parts of the country.

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Mahdis Nikou, Iran (UK-based), Illustrator and Graphic Designer

Mahdis Nikou’s work is influenced by her love for colour, bold shapes and whimsical compositions. With the purpose of creating meaningful art, Nikou’s body of work contains personal and collaborative projects around the topics of mental health, female empowerment & environmental art. Since the start of Iran’s new women-led revolution in September 2022, Mahdis has shifted her focus on amplifying the voice of Iranians who are fighting for their freedom by using her expressive illustrations.

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Watch our conversation with these three incredibly talented artists to find out more about their work and what drives them.