Mir Andleeb, a young artistfrom central Kashmir’s Ganderbal districtwas selected as top 100 artists in world by Calisto Art and Culture, first South Asian Snow Sculpture Team.
The 22-year-old artist who has an excellent hold on painting and calligraphyis currently pursuing Visual Arts at Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), University of Kashmir.
Interested in art and crafts since her childhood, “I used to make handmade things like rough sketches and cards. But, due to studies I couldn’t give it my proper attention to these skills when i was a child,” she said.
During Covid-19 lockdown, Andleeb discussed the idea of becoming an artist with her parents and after getting their positive feedback she started focusing on calligraphy and visual art.
“I started giving it more time, learning new things like calligraphy, portraits, paintings and I felt like I should be pursuing my carrier in this field,” she said.
The artist said she was never inspired by anyone because she had no idea about any professional course or institution where from she could take the training or get a degree. “When i came to know about the institute that trains in artwork, I changed my subject from non- med to visual arts,” she said.
Andleeb makes paintings on Kashmir culture, portraits, social issues, women and child issues, religious calligraphy, customized couple calligraphic names, paid sketch work etc. Last year, she made a painting of Chinar leave which was widely appreciated by the people.
In future, she wants to become an arts teacher and want to aware people about art. For the young artist, art is everything and one should get a proper platform to nurture it professionally.
“Everyone is an inborn artist, but we lack the ability to find or explore it. Many talented youth don’t have knowledge about how to pursue career in their field of interest. An artist needs a platform where he can grow along the professional lines,” she said.
Andleeb said she would love to introduce all self-taught artists to be part of this community professionally and paint their dreams professionally. She added that the IMFA is the best platform for aspiring artists.
“I failed two times in my life and stood up strong third time. You are not a bad artist you just need well-known people to understand your art,” she said.
She has won many competitions and last year, she got first position in an online art competition organized by J&K Social Concern Group Manasbal.
Andleeb has presented one of her calligraphy work in a Sufi Festival and Exhibition at Zabarwan which was widely appreciated by people across different cultures.
