CuratorSpace Artist Bursary #24: Samiya Younis

Samiya Younis, a British-born Pakistani artist in London, draws inspiration from her South Asian heritage. Her work blends contemporary and traditional techniques, exploring themes of identity, storytelling, and cultural complexity. Through sculpture, installation, performance, and painting, she challenges narratives, promoting dialogue and new perspectives.

"My project 'Bullet Proof' reinterprets traditional South Asian embroidered dress collars using fragmented, unfired terracotta, exploring themes of land, identity, preservation, and cultural heritage. The fragility of the terracotta symbolises the delicate balance between these themes and my personal journey. Growing up with South Asian textiles and transitioning to Western clothing highlighted a cultural shift that informs my art, blending traditional motifs with contemporary narratives to address complex cultural issues, including displacement and memory.

More than an artistic endeavour, 'Bullet Proof' serves as a statement on the strength and resilience of women across cultures. The installation features a boundary of fragmented terracotta, forming a protective shield that symbolises safety and defence while engaging with themes of beauty, darkness, abuse, and vulnerability. It highlights the complexities of experience by both protecting and revealing fragility. 'Bullet Proof' challenges conventional boundaries between art, fashion, and personal stories, to create dialogue across historical and contemporary contexts."

You can see more of Samiya's work at https://www.curatorspace.com/artists/samiyayounis

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