Artist Biography

Shahrukh Asad is a Belfast-based visual Artist, Curator, and Gallerist. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Punjab University College of Art and Design and a Master’s in Business Management from Queen’s University Belfast, a combination that informs both her artistic vision and her approach to running a contemporary gallery.

Her work has been showcased internationally, including in Rome, Venice, Pakistan, Dubai, London, and Belfast. Specializing in contemporary abstraction, Shahrukh explores themes of memory, presence, and emotional movement through layered compositions and gestural mark-making. Her practice is intuitive and expansive, allowing each piece to emerge organically as a reflection of human experience and inner landscapes.

Among her most notable exhibitions is her solo show, After the Image from this show, her painting The Blueprint of Elsewhere was acquired for the Deputy Lord Mayor’s collection, marking a significant milestone in her artistic career.

As the founder and gallerist of Curated Frame Art Gallery, Shahrukh curates exhibitions, represents artists, and builds connections with collectors and audiences. She is also recognized as the first Pakistani woman to own an art gallery in Northern Ireland.

Through her curatorial work, she seeks to curate exhibitions that inspire dialogue, reflection, and cross-cultural engagement, while maintaining a close balance between creative innovation and professional gallery standards.
Her debut Curatorial project was Tangled traces of presence.

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.

CV

Education:

• Master’s in Business Management

Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom | 2023 – 2024

•Level 1 Award in Business Administration

United Kingdom | 2024

•Diploma in Graphic Design

National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore | 2018

•Master’s in Fine Arts

Punjab University College of Art and Design, Lahore | 2015 – 2017

•Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

University of Education, Lahore | 2013 – 2015

 
Work Experience

Visual Artist – Jan 2017 – Present
Self-Employed
Director – Jan 2025 – Present
Curated Frame Art Gallery

Administrative Officer – July 2025 – Nov 2025
Civil Services

 
Past and present Group and solo exhibitions:
  • 2026 - All you want love, was not true, Catalyst Arts, Belfast. Present
  • 2025 - 2026 Solo Exhibition, Curated Frame art Gallery, United Kingdom
  • 2025 - Rome Art Fair, Medina art Gallery, Italy
  • 2025 - Contemporary Venice 17th Edition its Liquid group, Italy
  • 2025 - Abstract Universe, Art Smiley art gallery, Dubai
  • 2024 – SB Art Gallery, London
  • 2022 – Around the Corner, Young Artists Exhibition, Alhamra Art Council
  • 2021 – Beyond the Threshold of Time, Young Artists Exhibition, Alhamra Art Council
  • 2021 – Rehmat-ul-lil-Alameen, Calligraphy Exhibition, Alhamra Art Council
  • 2020 – Resilience, Young Artists Exhibition, Alhamra Art Council
  • 2020 – Cultural Diversity, ArtSmiley Exhibition, Dubai
  • 2018 – Group Exhibition, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium, Faisalabad
  • 2017 – Sufi Rang, Alhamra Art Council
Present Exhibitions::
2026 - All you want love was not true, Catalyst arts, Belfast
 
Forthcoming Exhibitions:
Curated Frame art gallery: Group Show Dastan, Belfast.
 
Curation:
  • Boundless contemporary 2026
  • Tangled Traces of presence 2025
  • Bayan 2025
 
Artist Talk:
Belfast Peer Support program: Artist talks| Show and tells. MAC, Visual artist Ireland and supported by Belfast city council.
 
Mentorship:
Backstage Bites artist spot light managed by Maywe events, and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by EU programme body and funded by Executive office NI and ROI development.
 
Workshops:
SIP AND PAINT 2026 in Collaboration with Dock café Belfast.
 
 
Residency:
Home residency at DAS Belfast. 2025
 
 
Works in Collections:

Belfast’s Deputy Lord Mayor’s Collection. IDA Global, Bahrain and Lahore.

Awards and nominations:
  • Nomination: Honorary award of achievement, knighthood. The order of Prometheus or Nobility title, 2026. Greece
  • Nomination: British Talent award
  • Nomination: MRANI AWARDS for recognition
  • 2018 – Event Management Award
  • Recognized for organizing an exhibition and fundraising event at Alhamra Art Council, awarded by SFUST, a non-profit organization.
 
Commissions:

2018 – 2025

Created commissioned works for collectors, interior designers, and corporate clients across Pakistan, the UK, and the UAE.

Publications:

2025: Exhibition Group Review Abstract Universe in Gulf today

2025: Press release Solo exhibition After the Image Belfast Media Group

2020 – Interview and artworks featured in Daily Pakistan Newspaper

2021 – Artwork published in Alhamra Art Council Exhibition Catalogue

2023 – Artwork featured in Alhamra Art Council Exhibition Catalogue

2024 – Artwork featured in Alhamra Art Council Exhibition Catalogue

Memberships & Volunteering:

Member, Catalyst Arts – A leading artist-led organisation
Member, Visual Artist Ireland.
Volunteer, Ulster Museum, Belfast 

Featured Artist On Saatchi Art

Member of Catalyst Arts