Zehra Batool is a native Maryland multimedia artist, whose work is heavily centered around her identity as a Pakistani American Muslim. She hopes that one day, through her art she is able to express, share, and enlighten others about Islam and its vast cultures.
Zehra is a self-taught artist and continues to perfect her craft by experimenting and pushing beyond her limits and her comfort zone. Although she never attended art school, Zehra recalls a moment in fourth grade that gave her the spark to pursue art. “I was finishing up a project on pointillism when [my teacher] was walking by, and she abruptly halted, bringing the canvas to her eyes. I had thought that I had done something wrong but when I looked up, all I saw was the tenderness in her eyes,” she shares. “I remember her walking away with that one painting and coming back with two things in her hands—the painting and a flyer for an art show. She sat next to me, held my hand and told me she’d be putting my work in the show as a representative to our school, class, and grade. I remember her exclaiming passionately that I was a born artist and that I must always keep a pencil in my hand. I’ll never forget that.”
Today, Zehra likes to be fluid in her art, working with all mediums—oils, acrylics, and watercolors; colored pencils and charcoals; pastels and markers. “I think that there’s magic in every art medium, and I think that limiting myself to one would be quite criminal and incredibly gloomy.”
Zehra finds her creative inspiration in everything, each day and says that finding joy in the little things is a big part of her life.” Finding value and beauty in the normal, in the mundane, is poetic,” she says.
Zehra never follows the same creative process when beginning a new piece. She believes that would limit her ability to create art at the highest level. “If there’s no change in routine, then there’s nothing to challenge you. Which means that you will neither be elevated or deflated in your skills, just stagnant. Which is the worst thing that could happen to an artist,” Zehra explains. “You always want to be improving, evolving. That is why every new art piece that I create is a work of art that I’ve experienced for the first time. There’s so much that you can find when you leave your eyes, mind, heart, and soul open. I think that is a daily goal of mine. Listening, learning and creating something new every day.”
Aspects of Zehra’s faith and culture are an important part of her creative expression. “Growing up in the states as an American Muslim, is painful to navigate to say the least. It’s a target on your back. It’s the insecurity of proper practice. It’s colliding paths and clashing roads,” she shares. “But I think that growing up Muslim in America has taught me the importance of believing in something, more than anything. We all need to believe in something, as humans. With my art, I want my adoration of my culture and faith to bleed through the paints onto the canvas. I want the impact of the beliefs I hold to be seen with every brush stroke and every color. The importance of family, love, values, community, and perspective.”
Zehra adds that she wants her art to be a breath of relief to every Muslim that has the chance to see her work and for them to find peace in knowing that there is someone who is making their story known, heard, and seen. “I want my work to be a reflection of my love and devotion to my culture, religion, and community. Humans are beautiful creatures created with a greater purpose than most would admit. I believe my purpose is to show future generations that we were here. We existed, we lived, we loved, we wept, and we found meaning.”
As an emerging artist, Zehra says her greatest accomplishment to date has been being accepted into the Vika Visual Arts Association artist development program.. “I am incredibly thankful that this is my first step into the art world, professionally. It’s a tremendous milestone for me, something I’ve prayed for my whole life. I am incredibly honored to have been chosen for this chance to show my passion,” she says. “To be able to pursue my dreams and have that become a reality is incredible. I will always remember this moment, I’ll always look back at this moment with boundless love and joy.”
Zehra is currently creating a rose petal series in memory of her late paternal and maternal grandparents. “In respect and commemoration of them, I’ve dedicated one painting for each one—all of whom have left me with the greatest gift anyone could have ever given me, hope. Hope to find the strength and power within myself to fight for my life, to fight for my dreams and to fight for me,” Zehra says. “I hold their words and wisdom very near and dear to my heart. They are the very affirmations I repeat morning and night, like a prayer to my soul. All of my strength comes from the remnants of their love for me. It is the very ground I walk on, my anchor, my answer, and my salvation.”
To follow Zehra’s journey, meet her on Instagram (@zeezuarts) where she posts her work, process, and a bit about her life, “It’s my visual journal. I’m in the process of creating a website. Once completed, I plan to make an announcement on my Instagram.” Some of Zehra’s work is also available for purchase at vikavisualarts.org/zehrabatool.
