Meet Pakistani illustrator and graphic designer, Amara Sikander.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a visual artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer living and working in Lahore, Pakistan. I graduated from the University of the Punjab in Communication Design in 2012 and finished my masters in 2015 and from last just about 5 years I am working in Advertising Agencies. As of now, I am working as a Senior Art Director in Ogilvy Pakistan. I find expression in different forms of art, for example, drawing, plan, photography, etc. My journey in the world of art began as a little youngster when I previously delved into my creative mind, conjuring up stories that I made up myself. A part of my thoughts hovers around matriarchy, how it inspires me and in what ways would I be able to maintain the Feminine energy on the planet today. As a lady, I need to bring forth productive considerations, words, and activities. I need to figure out how to truly feed myself and those encompassing me. My need is that I am a light being, most importantly, at that point I am human, and then I am an artist. I have to have associations, instinctive experiences, internal exchanges, discussions, encounters, slip-ups, learnings and all. My work likewise addresses thoughts of manliness, self – portrayal, questions, and deception of culture.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I was born in Karachi, however, moved to Punjab when I was 9 from that point forward I am living in Lahore so its practically the main genuine home I’ve known. I have innumerable memories of going to parks, Joyland, music shows, picnics, Wagha border, Walled city Lahore with my siblings and cousins. The city has gotten aware of me and my womanhood as it’s no longer as sheltered or agreeing to go out strolling without anyone else’s input like it used to be. I can no longer just run on the road. I feel honored to be invigorated, living here and seeing such a significant number of ladies rise up to change things, guarantee spaces and have their voices heard. What’s more, obviously the individuals, we’re solidified all things considered. however our spirits are still delicate, life is truly quick here and everybody buckles down, Lahore is the Heart of Pakistan, it’s simple to feel lost here, in some cases you love it.

My need is that I am a light being, most importantly, at that point I am human, and then I am an artist.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

This city has a ton of innovative potential and is blasting with arts everything being equal, so it’s an extraordinary spot for creatives. Best thing is the FOOD. Worst thing is pollution and smog. Sometimes, it’s difficult to inhale and anybody can become ill easily If they step out!

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Beautiful, Challenging, Evolving

How did you start your career in art?

Drawing has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. As a kid I remember creating my own worlds, weaving stories around these worlds down to the minutest of details. I likewise review being strangely specific about feel from a youthful age. Growing up, I used to look and read about great artists with a ton of stunningness, their autonomy and vitality were attractive. At the point when individuals are occupied with making something that they trust in, they’re scarcely ever centered around things that don’t serve them. The extravagance and reflection that accompanied it, attracted me.

Drawing has been a part of my life ever since I can remember.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

I’m fortunate to have parents who have consistently been super supportive. My parents had gotten on my enthusiasm for the arts since the beginning and were in every case amazingly reassuring about it. I experienced childhood in a domain where all types of imagination were held at truly elevated regard.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

As of late, I’ve been feeling the dire need to put my abilities to great use: taking a stand in opposition to sexism, bigotry, homophobia, social unfairness and natural issues. I couldn’t want anything more than to have the option to deal with ventures with significant social and ecological impact. I might likewise want to extend my joint efforts with artists and brands. This is as of now a critical piece of my delineation practice, and these are the ventures I appreciate the most. Furthermore, I need to learn animation. In the future, I plan to discover a harmony among commissions and individual work. As an independent artist, this is critical to accomplish.

I couldn’t want anything more than to have the option to deal with ventures with significant social and ecological impact.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

An excessive number of individuals to name! There are bunches of artists, singers, and brands that I need to collaborate however since you requested one name—that will be Malika Favre. She is a French artist and visual craftsman situated in London. Her style of works could be portrayed by unadulterated moderation inside pop art and op art, where it now and again depicted as ‘pop art meets op art’. I’d love to team up with her!

How would you describe the women around you?

Wonderful, flexible, imaginatively charged and depleted from the steady that accompany living in a general public that needs balance is as yet making sense of itself smart, decided and unashamed. My mom has instructed me to consistently be predictable with my values and standards, in a logical way. If all else fails, I regularly consider how she would deal with a circumstance. She was in every case extremely strong of my enthusiasm for arts and she is extraordinarily minding.

Wonderful, flexible, imaginatively charged and depleted from the steady that accompany living in a general public that needs balance is as yet making sense of itself smart, decided and unashamed.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Growing up, the main imaginative around me was my mom. As far back as I was a kid she was extremely put resources into our imaginative training. She would make a special effort to sort out expressions and specialties exercises and these minutes went through with her were characterizing to me. She taught me how to draw, paint, and cut. The first occasion when I conceptualized the possibility of seeking after a profession in the Arts, it was basically in the terms of “I will be much the same as her”. However, and still, after all that, I figured I wasn’t as gifted as her. Despite everything, I suspect as much!

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Sexual orientation uniqueness, wage holes, and wellbeing keep on being an issue inside the business particularly in professional workplaces. Women’s liberation is exceptionally misconstrued now and again there’s still a great deal of judgment encompassing work that will in general question dated social structures and standards that exist inside our country. As woman, we’re always compelled to evaluate the situations that we put ourselves in light of the fact that lamentably, wellbeing and security is particularly a genuine concern. Solid, autonomous, stubborn ladies are frequently misconceived and rejected as forceful or overwhelming, which is actually dismal to see particularly when men with a similar arrangement of qualities are celebrated and appreciated. I could continue for some time about these ‘small scale animosities’ that we will in general face as ladies. In any case, the truth is that the molding on sexual orientation jobs in amazingly profound established in our general public. There’s very a flood of alter occurring in a positive course yet it is a moderate moving procedure and there keeps on being a great deal of push back.

Making sense of what your identity is and what you need to do requires its own pace to create, there just isn’t an alternate route.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Aside from being your actual self, a recommendation I wish I had gotten when I was younger is to not neglect to be benevolent to yourself too and give yourself reality to develop and advance. Making sense of what your identity is and what you need to do requires its own pace to create, there just isn’t an alternate route.

Photos courtesy of Amara Sikander.