Artist Biography
S.A. Zia is a visual artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. As a practising artist, she holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts and has consistently explored contemporary themes through her work. Deepening her interdisciplinary understanding, she also completed a Master’s in Business Management from Queen's University Belfast.
S.A. Zia has exhibited internationally, including a group exhibition in Dubai in 2020 and a group exhibition in London in 2024. Her work has been showcased three times with the Alhamra Art Council and featured in an exhibition held at the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
In addition to her artistic practice, she is actively involved in the local arts community. She volunteers at the Ulster Museum in Belfast and is a member of Catalyst Arts Belfast, a prominent artist-led organisation in the city.
Her work has been featured three times in the Alhamra Art Council’s official catalogue and highlighted in the Daily Pakistan newspaper, reflecting her growing recognition in both local and international art communities.
S.A. Zia holds the unique distinction of being the first Pakistani woman to own a contemporary art gallery in Northern Ireland, pioneering new pathways for cultural and artistic representation in the region.
Artist Statement
My art practice is rooted in abstract impressionism and expressionism, where I explore the emotional depth of form, colour, and gesture. Since my early years in both my Bachelor's and Master's studies in Fine Arts, I have been drawn to the expressive potential of distorted lines. Over time, this evolved into a pursuit of abstract emotion—translating internal states into visual language.
My current work focuses on abstract florals and emotive compositions that reflect my personal journey and inner world. Using bold, gestural strokes and a vivid, expressive colour palette, I strive to create works that communicate feelings beyond words. Each piece is a dialogue between movement and stillness, chaos and harmony.
I draw inspiration from nature, memory, and the complexity of human emotion. My art is a way of processing lived experience—layered, raw, and intuitive. Through abstraction, I invite the viewer to connect with their own emotional landscapes.
For me, painting is not just a medium—it's a powerful tool of self-expression and discovery.
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