Artist Aleena Sharif on the power of painting nudes
This Modern Struggle Magazine had the absolute privilege of speaking with artist Aleena Sharif and sharing her inspirational artwork.
She shares her artistic journey, her creative process, and how the power of painting the nude female form helps to promote body confidence and self-love for herself and other women.
Thank you so much to Aleena for creating representative pieces and a safe space to share nude paintings.
What has been your journey as an artist and how did it start?
I grew up in a very creative household and always was encouraged to pursue this avenue. I decided to go to college for Fine Arts and I was really able to learn the techniques and experiment in different areas of the arts. When I really got into being an artist was during quarantine when I was able to spend long stretches of time with my paints. After seeing how much I could invest in each painting and get reward in the form of gratification, I knew I HAD to follow through.
2. What inspires you to paint?
The act of creating to me is very rewarding. While being mentally demanding it is also physically challenging. I love the idea of putting in work and seeing a result at the end, as well as the idea of being able to create anything I want and put it out into the world.
3. What is your creative process?
All my works are emotion based, so this could be something I woke up feeling one day, or something could happen and the accompanying emotion will be the driving factor behind the piece. Once the intention of the painting is set I will find a pose that portrays the feeling and then go from there.
4. Why do you choose to portray the female body in the way that you do?
I work on large canvases and have the figures fill the space for many reasons, but the most important one would be to show confidence. The scale of the canvas is to give the paintings power, but the way the figures are posed is to be looking down on to the viewer which shifts the power dynamic of the audience looking at the figure to the figure looking down on to them. I usually have the large canvases above eye level so the viewer actually has to look up to see the painting and that is symbolic of giving the painting respect. I want the pieces to take up space and be loud and unapologetic to represent how I want women to feel. To be able to be big and noticed and not have to make themselves small.
5. What do you hope people take away from your work?
My hope is always to inspire confidence. To remind women that they can take up space and demand attention. I personally use it as a reminder to live life everyday as I want. As well as if anyone can find comfort in seeing these figures, to see these bodies and find some relief in seeing someone similar to their bodies, that would make me so happy.
6. As someone who is plus size I feel incredibly seen by these paintings and they resonate with me greatly - did you think the lack of normalisation of these kinds of bodies was something you wanted to counteract with your work?
I was always aware of the limited body types we see in art and social media so it is definitely something that is on my mind when I am creating. I just try to paint what I see in my everyday life and what is my reality of bodies.
7. What was your first big moment where you felt like you had made it as an artist and your work was connecting with people?
I was in college and taking one of my paintings to class and the security guard stopped me and said: that looks just like my body, I love it. This was the first time I had connected with someone over my art and it was such a powerful moment that it made me stop for a minute. It must have taken her courage to say that and how she must have felt when she saw it.
8. Is it difficult showcasing work in your home country of Pakistan because of the different culture surrounding the female body and nudity, and has the reception been different there to California?
Yes absolutely! It is a bit of a struggle showing my work publicly in Pakistan. There has been a bit of backlash, but that’s with any work anywhere, I guess. I am trying to create a safe space for these kinds of works to be shown here and open up the conversation that comes with my art. I feel like the initial shock of the context of the works overshadows the art itself over here.
9. What next gallery show or exhibition do you have coming up in 2024?
As of right now nothing planned, but who knows, the year just started! I'm always on the look out for shows so hopefully I will find one to be a part of soon.
10. Your art is a true testament to self love - what advice would you give to those who want to learn to love their bodies more?
It’s not easy! I would say constant positivity is a myth and everyday isn't going to be the best, because that’s the reality. I would say you are more than your body and anytime I start having negative thoughts I ask myself if I would talk about anybody else the way I talk about myself.
Interview with Aleena Sharif
Artist
Aleena was born in Pakistan and went to school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She graduated with a BFA and a minor in Art History.
After graduating, she exhibited her art in New York, Los Angeles, London, Italy, and Pakistan, as well as many virtual galleries.
She currently continues her practice between California and Pakistan, where she holds open studies in hope to create a safe space for nude paintings to be shown.