Malaika Iraj

I'm Malaika Iraj, a passionate visual artist based in Sargodha, Pakistan. My journey began with a pencil and sketchbook in childhood and has evolved into a multidisciplinary practice spanning oil, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, egg tempera, and digital art. I specialize in commissioned portraits, murals, miniature painting, and calligraphy—each piece created with deep emotional attention and storytelling.

What I create is the essence of things—a visual reflection of our inner selves. The abstract and the real often coexist in my work, suggesting that we cannot escape nature; we are part of it. Figures on the canvas may appear as shadows of humankind, sparking unexpected emotions as you look. I aim to help viewers feel rather than think.

My process is intuitive and improvised. I begin with a vision, but the materials often guide the direction. Sometimes, a single brushstroke finishes a piece. Other times, it takes months of quiet collaboration with the medium. I even leave the background as it is, honoring the texture and life of the cloth or canvas—treating it as part of the creative voice.

Through years of national and international commissions, and platforms like Instagram, I’ve connected with a global audience. My work reflects...

Bachelor’s in Fine Arts

2024 – 1st International Exhibition of Art – Synchronicity of Souls
Role: Member of Management Team
Venue: Zubaida Agha Art Gallery
Inaugurated by: Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum

Mural Wall Painting Project
Organized by: Brighto Paints
Location: Outside Walls of University of Sargodha, Front Walls of IAAD

Pak-China Friendship & Relations Exhibition
Organized by: Institute of Art & Design
Venue: Zubaida Agha Art Gallery