New South Asian Visual Artist has arrived in Manchester to create and exhibit the beauty of Pakistan and Kashmir
New South Asian Visual Artist has arrived in Manchester with fresh approach and passion to create and exhibit the beauty of Pakistan and Kashmir through her creative work
Maria Zaheem Kashmiri-born visual artist now living in Manchester whose work is rooted in the exploration of landscape, culture, and identity. She graduated with a BS in Fine Art from Rawalpindi Women University (2019–2023), where she developed her artistic foundation and passion for painting. From an early stage, she distinguished herself as a committed artist, actively participating in exhibitions, competitions, and collaborative projects that highlighted her creative vision.
Her practice primarily focuses on oil on canvas, where she captures the essence of mountains, rivers, lakes, and village life with expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colour palettes. By portraying the landscapes of Kashmir and northern Pakistan, she’s not only records the natural beauty of her homeland but also conveys its cultural and emotional significance. Her paintings often merge realism with an impressionistic touch, offering both visual detail and poetic atmosphere.
Currently based in the United Kingdom, she’s pursuing opportunities to present her art to international audiences. She has been involved in exhibitions and collaborations that promote Pakistani and Kashmiri art and culture abroad, aiming to build cultural bridges through visual expression. Her vision is not only to document the physical beauty of landscapes but also to communicate the sense of belonging, nostalgia, and harmony they inspire.
Since Spring 2024 she’s been working on creating a brand-new work commissioned by Kashmiri Productions and she’s ready for her first UK exhibition which will take place at The Light Cinema in Bradford and Bolton in September as part of PAK Film Festival.
Zafar Iqbal, Festival Director said ‘We are super excited to showcase her work as part of the festival as it suits the aims and objectives. When we first met her and saw her work we knew straightaway that our audience will love this as this adds additional excitement and fun to the tour. It is also important to provide a platform to rising female visual artist with South Asian background to participate and grown as this will brings fresh approach and work to the audience.’
Maria Zaheem, Visual Artist said ‘I am very grateful to Kashmiri Productions for giving me this huge opportunity to showcase my work. I have been working very hard since last year to create this work and I am looking forward to share the end result with people. I love promoting the beauty of Pakistan and Kashmir through my work.’
