This elegant and expressive abstract composition by Shireen Kamran is painted in rich, earthy tones of brown, charcoal and cream highlighted by gold and blue. Kamran’s work—in form and colour is influenced by the paintings of fabled abstract artists such as De Kooning and Picasso. Her work also honours her Pakistani heritage, often referencing a form of Islamic mysticism called Sufi.

“I am very inspired by Sufi culture, a constant thread in my work, this concept of Sufi philosophy, reading Rumi etc. I don’t paint in the traditional way, how I express it on canvas.” Shireen Kamran

Kamran received a BSc. degree from the University of Peshawar and a BFA from Concordia University, Montreal. Her work is held in private collections in Canada and abroad. Read about Shireen Kamran’s identity of abstraction in the artist expressing herself via colour and formlessness "A Silent Devotion" by Aasim Akhtar.