For Shiba Khan, art and art promotion are bud and blossom

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Shiba Khan is an artist, art activist, fashion designer and a social worker. She is also the founder, along with her sister Farah Khan, of Funun Arts, a non-profitable art promotion organisation. Funun has provided exhibition opportunities for many emerging artists. As an artist, Shiba has taken part in exhibitions in the UAE and other parts of the world. Her inspiration comes from renowned artists such as S H Raza, Kandinsky and Hans Hofmann.

Her work is a mix of styles and colours and each painting tells a story. She experiments with different textures and expresses herself in the abstract style. Her work series include City of Hope, We-3 Remembrance, Women, Shifara, and Doors of Hope. They show her view of the world. She quotes Hofmann, who said that “through a painting we can see the whole world”.

She spoke to Gulf Today about her work and life as an art promoter

* What are the themes/subjects of your art?

Through my paintings, I try to showcase different aspects of life. My creative process when working on my painting includes experimenting with unusual materials found in the natural environment. Abstract art is a way of looking at the world, where artists and viewers can connect and make connections.

* Did you have formal art training?

No, I don’t have any formal art training; I am a self-taught artist. By profession, I am a fashion designer but by passion, I am an artist. Being an artist gives me the freedom to express myself and that’s why I took up art. As a designer, I worked hard and achieved a name in the fashion industry back in India. Here in the UAE, which is second home for me, I am happy to involve myself in the art field. Both fields are equally creative.

* What motivates you to promote art?

When I started my art journey, it was very difficult to showcase my work. Either it was too expensive or was only for established artists. These factors made me establish Funun Arts.  I watch creatives whom I admire, and look out for anything which can teach me about how I can motivate artists to create art, plant seeds that will blossom.

A composition titled Memories.

There may be some aspects of a work or process that you can apply directly in your new project. Plus, it’s always great to be reminded that other creatives also have challenges and low points, just like the rest of us. By promoting art, it feels I can express the feelings of numerous people.

* What are the challenges in the field of art promotion?

I feel art and artists are somehow perceived with very prejudicial eyes. Art or the business of art are seen as romantic dalliances, the playthings of the super-rich or the idle or something in the realm of intellectuals. Over half of my time is spent reaching out in an attempt to network with gallerists, art consultants and anyone whose job it is to find saleable work. After all, making art and selling art is no different than any other business. Finding people interested in seeing and especially buying art, is part of an art promoter’s job description, whether it is direct sales or through the partnered efforts of gallerists, art consultants and others who make their living sourcing and selling art.

* Why do you focus on emerging artists?

I remember, when I graduated in fashion design and went out into the market to find a job, I realised no one wanted a fresher: everyone was looking for experience. It was very painful and depressing. I felt I should knock it into their heads that they were also freshers once and if freshers are not given a chance, how can they become experienced?  The same is with emerging artists. Today they are buds, but soon they will blossom into flowers and like every flower has its fragrance, they too will spread sweetness with their fresh ideas and creativity.

* Can you tell us how Funun Arts has made a change in the UAE art world?

Funun Arts is not just hosting events or art exhibitions but doing art for change. Change in an artist’s career graph and change in society on how it sees art. Each of our projects has set a milestone in the art fraternity. We did an art exhibition for social change by exhibiting the work of children of determination on the same platform along with the work of other artists. It changed the thinking of people and gave enormous happiness to the children we worked with.

This happened in our events such as Cherish, Together We Can and Joining Hands, to name a few. In Walk Of Life, people from different walks of life came together and exhibited their works with well-known artists. They also worked together during a live painting session and then exhibited side by side.  Live Limitless, which was held for women’s day, was not restricted only to women: male artists also came up to show that each was equal.  We worked for students. We have very actively worked during the pandemic by organising virtual exhibitions.  So you see, Funun Arts has changed the face of art exhibitions and events by bringing the whole society on one platform and express itself in the best ways.