Masooma Syed
Residency at Manchester Metropolitan University
I started with painting and later got involved in 3-D mediums like
sculpture and jewelry .I believe it was an ongoing transformation of
ideas along with materials I felt .This work is about contradictions,
questions and unease posed by the social constraints and mischievous
handling. The tiny taboos, the social, political bigotry, the injustice
around, based on careless human judgment embodies the fragile, tiny
nooks and corners of the human body and soul. I am interested to know
how they function in different situations and societies, the pressure,
politics and people.
I enjoy working with materials; organic or non organic, metal, paper,
paint or stones as long as they speak of what I want to say. I believe
materials can gossip, chant, demand and react to my intentions if I
allow myself to listen to their soul.
curls, 2002 (more images)
I like the feel of these materials in my hand, which are tiny, fragile
and bare, like feelings inside the heart. These delicate garlands of
threaded half moons, which turn out to be trimmings from the fingure
nails of friends, family, nails of many unknown others, subtly placed
edge to edge in a queue or its the wispy quality of hair, edged by the
gleam of steel sewing needles to be read as dainty tassels or a
menacing border are both the unconscious human yearnings and the
celebration of human desires and rebellion at the same time. Their
smallness and almost inconspicuous presence was parallel to their
majestic quiet solace.
It’s a great opportunity to pursue my work through an exchange
programme based on both learning and sharing through hat. I would like
to be an artist in residence at the Manchester Metropolitan University.
If I am offered a place to work there then I would be very keen in the
‘School of Design’ specific to 3-Diamentonal design. In view of my
current art practice and teaching in the discipline of both visual Arts
and jewellery design in the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, I
find 3-Diamentional design, very exciting and dynamic in terms of
activities ranging from glass, ceramics, and fine metalworking. My art
and jewellery practice in non traditional materials and processes has
resulted in a form close to ‘Body Art’. On the basis of this I would
like to further enhance my skills and perceptions, the contradictions
and craft sensibilities there in the context of my own work.
Work in the backdrop of the contrasting culture art and design fabric
and coming from the certain artistic, social, cultural, political
system, will benefit me immensely in both my creative pursuits as well
as teaching aid.
Parallel to this it would be great contribute my experience there and
share my ideas and thoughts through workshops/ slide presentation or
visual talk on my own work and my contemporaries.
Click on image to open QuickTime movie
"ARTIST'S TALK"
Masooma Syed talks to conference during cHAT week at Sanskriti, Delhi, India. March 2007
