IMAGINARY BORDERS

art

24-year-old Sajil Kaleem’s journey spans continents and cultures. Born in Karachi and educated in Fine Art at Newcastle University, England, Sajil’s work is a fusion of her transitory experiences and deep-rooted Pakistani heritage. With a family that has lived in six countries, Sajil’s art explores themes of migration, identity, and tradition, creating a narrative that resonates across borders. Through her work, Sajil bridges the gap between her origins and her new surroundings, using her art to express and preserve her identity amidst the challenges of migration. Her pieces tell stories of adaptation, making her experiences relatable to many who have faced similar journeys.

Her installations and paintings are profound explorations of heritage and contemporary life, often inspired by the architectural beauty of South Asia and the intricate patterns of Islamic art. Currently shuttling between Newcastle, Oxford, and London, Sajil’s artistic vision is ever-evolving, marked by an amalgation of personal history and creative innovation. Let’s get to know more about this artist…

You! Can you share how your early life in Karachi and living in different countries have influenced your interest in art and shaped your artistic vision and style?

Sajil Kaleem: I was born in Karachi and lived there for a year before we started moving. Visiting Karachi, with its busy life and distinct architecture, always fascinates me. Living in different countries has helped me see similarities everywhere, showing how imaginary borders are. My family’s ties to Hyderabad Deccan and our late migration to Pakistan have influenced my work, making me feel like a foreigner everywhere but it is also what inspires my artwork.

You! What drew you to the medium of installation, and how do you incorporate traditional and heritage elements into your work?

SK: I started as a painter, but analysing how painting makes me feel led me to explore installations. A great painting transports you to its world, and I wanted to make that feeling tangible. South Asian architectural history inspires my work, especially the repeating patterns in Islamic art. I took a course on Islamic geometric patterns and want to learn traditional Pakistani woodworking to further explore this. The relationship between light and pattern is a new area I’m excited to explore, inspired by the active role of the sun in South Asian visual culture.

You! Can you share the story behind your first major art piece and what it represents to you?

SK: It’s hard to classify my first major piece, but a pivotal work was ‘It All Converges’ featured at Art Chowk Gallery. I worked on it over six weeks with a break in between. During that break, I visited a friend’s village in Punjab, and the painting referenced a hopeful part of Jhelum River. It captured my feelings about losing connection with my cousins. My paintings often include writing that forms the thinking behind them. This painting encapsulated a bit of my desperate clinging to hope, and it still makes me sentimental.

You! Migration is a recurring theme in your work. How do you approach this subject, and what message do you aim to convey through it?

SK: My views on migration are evolving. Lately, I’ve felt that maybe no one should move, and Pakistan would strengthen if everyone stayed. Though hypocritical as I live outside Pakistan, it saddens me when people hope to leave. Migration is powerful and is also our country’s foundation, but it creates a sense of ‘us versus them.’ It’s a complex topic, but I’m grateful for the sense of yearning migration has given me, as that’s where my art stems from.

You! What role do you think art plays in preserving and showcasing cultural heritage in today’s globalised world?

SK: Art documents and preserves a community’s identity. Sharing this outside one’s culture fosters connection across borders. I believe in transformative heritage, creating new traditions built on old ones to pass on. Art is presently in a free state, accessible to everyone, and its value is being rediscovered. Art, both as an object and daily practice, shape’s identity and makes it easier to share securely across cultures.

You! You’ve exhibited your work in several cities across England. How has the reception been, and what feedback has been most meaningful to you?

SK: Every exhibition has been heart-warming. I love speaking to people about my work. My recent exhibition, ‘Orbit (from the kitchen to my room)’ was an incredible experience. It was a duo show with my artist friend Niki. We collaborated over the phone for a year and hearing people resonate with our work was amazing. We also raised money for Palestinian aid through artwork sales, which was fulfilling.

You! Can you describe a particularly memorable moment or experience from one of your exhibitions?

SK: During my first solo exhibition, the director of a charity, GemArts, gave a lovely speech about my journey. I had organised an exhibition the previous year to celebrate South Asian artists, which was challenging but rewarding. His recognition and support were special, celebrating my professional growth.

You! As a young woman in the art world, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

SK: The biggest challenge is taking myself seriously as an artist. It’s easy to doubt my art, but I’ve learned to push through and take risks for what I love. Being a Muslim Hijabi artist in a primarily white environment can lead to being reduced to my identity, but I’m embracing my identity as it informs my work. I’m using this challenge as a driver to reach audiences who value my perspective.

You! In what ways do you hope your art can contribute to conversations about migration, heritage, and identity?

SK: I hope my art resonates with people and tells significant stories. I want viewers to see the beauty in these stories and feel attached to something far away, in time or distance, and recognise its relevance to their present.

You! How do you connect with other artists and communities, both locally and internationally?

SK: I love going to exhibitions and talking to artists about their work. Building a community and network of supportive people is encouraging. Instagram has helped me connect virtually, and I’m learning to use it better. Making art in the same space as others is inspiring and sparks creativity.

You! What advice would you give to aspiring female artists, particularly those from Pakistan or similar backgrounds?

SK: Creativity is in our blood. Taking risks for what you love is worth it, even if they seem small by external standards. Keep pushing your creativity, even if you’re the only creative you know.

You! How do you see your art evolving in the next few years, and are there any new themes or mediums you are excited to explore?

SK: My work is in a transitory period, reflecting changes in my life. I want to work more internationally and learn techniques from around the world, especially traditional Pakistani crafts like woodworking and pattern making. It’s difficult to predict, but I’m excited for the future.

You! Are there any specific projects or collaborations you are currently working on or hope to work on in the future?

SK: I’m excited to continue collaborating with my friend Niki. I’m also working on a series of more melancholic paintings, reflecting my current stage in adulthood. I want to create a large-scale piece with light, shadow, and pattern for an immersive experience. The future holds exciting possibilities, and I hope to exhibit in Karachi again soon.