Studio Aakif Suri

08/11/2025

Excited to share my latest project,“Dot by Dot” showcases two intricate shimmeringly steel window-grilles installed at NCA’s old library building, featured in ‘کتاب گھر (Book House)’, curated by , as part of NCA Triennale 2025 on NCA’s 150th-years celebrations.
Both the pieces are carefully crafted to resemble the pages of a note-book, with horizontal steel-rods and spherical steel-balls evoke the feeling of a writing text on notebook papers. Instead of the traditional script, I’ve used spherical steel-balls to represent the “نقطے” (dots) which are so essential in Urdu scripture, they also hold the power to change the meaning and pronunciation of words, much like how a single action can alter the course of life and meaning.
The first piece , Inspired by Faiz Ludhianvi’s Urdu poetry ‘نیا سال (New Year)’ which translates the theme “If there is no reason, Why do people greet ?” This poignant verse critiques the blind celebration of new beginnings, “if the new year is truly new, it must bring a fundamental changes, If you are new, then show me new in the morning, new in the evening, so the greetings would be justified”,.

On the other piece there is an ancient Persian phrase

‎ کسبِ کمال کن که عزیزِ جهان شوئ”
‎گر خود نماند از تو نشانی، نشانِ شوئ

This phrase is a guiding principle for the National College of Arts, it translates to “Achieve perfection and become the beloved of the world. If there is no trace of yourself left, become a trace.” It serves as a powerful reminder of the institution’s mission to strive for excellence and leave a lasting impact.
It’s a tribute to the celebration of NCA’s remarkable 150-year journey, marked by excellence, achievements, and a commitment to nurturing artistic talent.
Do Visit , Show runs until 28th November, daily 11:00am to 5:00pm

08/11/2025

Thrilled to share my latest project,“Dot by Dot” showcases two intricate shimmeringly steel window-grills installed at NCA’s old library building, featured in ‘کتاب گھر (Book House)’, curated by , as part of of NCA’s 150th-years celebrations.
Both the pieces are carefully crafted to resemble the pages of a note-book, with horizontal steel-rods and spherical steel-balls evoke the feeling of a writing text on notebook papers. Instead of the traditional script, I’ve used spherical steel-balls to represent the “نقطے” (dots) which are so essential in Urdu scripture, they also hold the power to change the meaning and pronunciation of words, much like how a single action can alter the course of life and meaning. The abstract arrangement of dots inviting the viewer to ponder the deeper connections between the poetry, the building , and the themes of excellence and worth.

The first piece , Inspired by Faiz Ludhianvi’s Urdu poetry ‘نیا سال (New Year)’ which translates the theme “If there is no reason, Why do people greet ?” This poignant verse critiques the blind celebration of new beginnings, “if the new year is truly new, it must bring a fundamental changes, If you are new, then show me new in the morning, new in the evening, so the greetings would be justified”.

On the other piece there is an ancient Persian phrase

‎ کسبِ کمال کن که عزیزِ جهان شوئ”
‎گر خود نماند از تو نشانی، نشانِ شوئ

This phrase is a guiding principle for the National College of Arts, it translates to “Achieve perfection and become the beloved of the world. If there is no trace of yourself left, become a trace”. It serves as a powerful reminder of the institution’s mission to strive for excellence and leave a lasting impact.

It’s a tribute to the celebration of NCA’s remarkable 150-year journey, marked by excellence, achievements, and a commitment to nurturing artistic talent.

Do Visit , show runs until 28th November, daily 11:00am to 5:00pm

27/03/2025

Untitled
Graphite on Cotton paper
11 x 15 inches
2024

21/03/2025

08/03/2025

Turnaround
52 x 42 inches
Charcoal on Arches
2025

12/12/2024

Pikaia
9.5 x 11 inches
Ink on Arches paper
2024

13/10/2021

A combination of with an is a personal narrative upon how many times we cease or ignore to see attributes of other creations' role A combination of portraiture with an animal is a personal narrative upon how many times we cease or ignore to see attributes of other creations' role towards human development as a refined and complex species. It is a pity, for instance, a creature, few of those who may not be able to speak nor walk or fly or swim may seem more majestic to me than a human-king with battles won displaying his urge of authority and prejudiced mindset on his head.
To me, the reason behind this is that rudiments of colonial/religious systems did not only erode our social constructs but also left lasting deformities in our beliefs and power structures. My works have animals in their relationship and the viewer himself could rejoice in making connections of a world that is slowly losing interest in collective humanity. These paintings could deliver a sense of beauty and mystery together.
Sometimes the aesthetics could allure the viewer with its color and composition and he may find delight in its image but the content matter to my work is far from that.

13/10/2021

A combination of with an is a personal narrative upon how many times we cease or ignore to see attributes of other creations' role towards human development as a refined and complex species. It is a pity, for instance, a creature, few of those who may not be able to speak nor walk or fly or swim may seem more majestic to me than a -king with battles won displaying his urge of and mindset on his head.
To me, the reason behind this is that rudiments of /religious systems did not only erode our social constructs but also left lasting deformities in our and structures. My works have in their relationship and the viewer himself could rejoice in making connections of a world that is slowly losing interest in collective humanity. These could deliver a sense of beauty and mystery together.
Sometimes the could allure the viewer with its color and composition and he may find delight in its but the content matter to my work is far from that.

02/01/2021

#2019 .art.space #

07/11/2020

I want you / I want you too III
2020
82x114 cm
Charcoal & Graphite on Cotton paper (Archival quality) arts #2020