Unpacking Home Painting

Ayesha Naeem is a visual artist who is interested in exploring themes of home, belonging and displacement. Born in 1946, she resides in Pakistan. Naeem has a BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore and was awarded Honors on her thesis. Drawing inspiration from domestic spaces and architecture from local surroundings, Naeem investigates the idea of home as a temporal space that keeps on shifting in tangible and intangible ways and draws symbolism to portray displacement of homes and the human relationship. In some works she views displacement from a personal lens whilst in others from a political and climatic lens. Though her preferred medium is painting, she also works with photography and sculpture. In 2022 she was awarded the top artwork award in Alhamra 18th Young Artist Competition. She was also awarded the ZairaZaka studio prize in the same year. She has exhibited her work at various art venues including Como Museum and Lahore Museum in Pakistan. Ayesha Naeem's artwork has been collected by some notable art collectors and is also housed at Ambiance Hotel in a public collection. Apart from being an artist, she is an art curator and art educator.