Artist Statement: 

As both a mother and an artist, witnessing the daily suffering and deaths of children on social media has deeply affected me. My studio, rooted in maternal instincts, became a reflection of the pain and loss unfolding in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Through my artwork, I strive to convey the irreparable loss and the vulnerability of children who are enduring violence each day. My works are influenced by the haunting imagery of orphaned children, deprived of the comfort and security of home and maternal warmth. The process of creating these artworks has allowed me to articulate how these haunting scenes of War have pierced my soul and etched in my mind.

I’m driven to undertake a meticulous and painstaking creative process to confront and express the hardships faced by parents who have lost their children in this conflict. Creating art has become a solemn practice of mourning and prayer. Through this process, I confront and reconcile tragic events, channelling my emotions into tangible expressions of grief and empathy. My only hope is to heighten moral awareness and nurture empathy through my Art.

Bio:

^{Sana Obaid, born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in the UK. She earned her BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore, with a specialization in miniature painting. Since 2007, she has exhibited her art extensively both nationally and internationally and contributed to prominent Art institutes and organizations in Pakistan such as Vasl Artists’ Collective, Karachi School of Art, and Pakistan Museum of Natural History to name a few.} 

^{In 2013, Sana received UNESCO’s Madanjeet Singh scholarship, awarded by the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Art in Pakistan, to pursue a Master of Art and Design studies. Driven by a deep compassion for children, Sana has been involved in various voluntary projects since 2011, with a particular focus on enhancing children’s education in Pakistan.} 

^{In 2017, Sana partnered with Power Radio FM 99 for the ‘Listen to Learn’ initiative, designing and illustrating children’s books for free distribution in rural areas of Pakistan to bolster educational opportunities. In 2023, she was awarded Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship from the Glasgow School of Art, UK, enabling her to pursue an MFA from The Glasgow School of Art, further expanding her multi-disciplinary practice and gaining broader experience.}