ALL ABOUT US Exhibition
Being born to Chinese and Pakistani parents in Hong Kong, my journey has been one of embracing and celebrating my diverse heritage while navigating the complexities of identity. My art is a reflection of this journey — an exploration of my experiences and an invitation for others to see the world through my eyes.
In ALL ABOUT US Exhibition, I showcase my paintings, illustrations and unique hijabs that weave together the tapestry of my life and cultures.
The installation of hijabs and paintings invites visitors to step into my world, to feel and see from my perspective. The hijab, often the first thing people notice about me, represents more than just a piece of fabric; it is a symbol of my identity, strength, and beauty. I want to break the stereotypes and allow people to see beneath the scarf, to understand the person I am beneath it — someone who loves art, adventures, gulab jamuns, and is profoundly human.
This exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the individuality and depth that lies within every person, beyond visible, beyond imagination symbols and first impressions. I hope that this will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our shared experiences, and bring us closer together.
By Pakistani-Chinese mixed mural artist and illustrator, Ahmad Rida Nisar
This year, the ALL ABOUT US Film Festival offers more than just screenings. We are excited to present an exhibition and community events featuring the vibrant artwork of Pakistani-Chinese mixed artist Ahmad Rida Nisar. Her colourful exhibits carry a powerful message of inclusivity, offering our audiences a unique cultural experience.
The image on the left shows the floor plan of the exhibition venue.
Masked & Veiled
2020
Digital painting & Mixed media
80cm x 80cmMasked & Veiled was created during the artist's 8-month lockdown in Pakistan. Having experienced the pandemic in Hong Kong, she encountered a cultural shock in Pakistan, where most people were not wearing masks despite the highly contagious disease. To protect herself, she would throw on her dupatta (shawl/scarf) and a mask whenever she left home, leaving only her eyes, often drawing curious looks from passersby as if she didn’t belong there. This amusing yet intriguing scenario inspired the piece. Later in the year, she embraced her love for colors and patterns by designing and sewing her own masks, adding a vibrant touch to her everyday “uniform" and match with her head scarves.
1001
2022
Digital painting
(left) 80cm x 80cm, (middle) 80cm x 80cm, (right) 80cm x 80cm
(left) 80cm x 80cm, (middle) 80cm x 80cm, (right) 80cm x 80cm
1001 blends traditional Mughal aesthetics with contemporary creativity in a dynamic, three-dimensional way. The composition features a lush, fantastical landscape filled with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and whimsical details. The use of bold colors and intricate patterns creates visual depth, inviting viewers into this dreamlike, otherworldly realm. The artist imagines a world where all people and creatures can live together in harmony. Inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights", the title 1001 also plays into technology, hinting at the fusion of ancient art forms with modern techniques and themes.
Journey to the Gulab Jamun
2021
Digital painting
80cm x 80cmJourney to the Gulab Jamun is a dedication to the artist's love for the Pakistani sweet, Gulab Jamun — a round dough made of milk solids, sugar, rose water, and cardamom powder. This playful piece takes the viewer on an imaginative adventure through the cosmos. Growing up in a local household, she only got to eat these sweets once in a while. Now, as she tries to connect more with her Pakistani heritage, she embarks on a journey to find the Gulab Jamun. This symbolic and physical representation serves as a heartfelt celebration of the artist's cultural heritage and personal identity.
Weaving Waves
2023
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 50cmWeaving Waves captures the essence of a 15-day sailing journey with 14 other women. The artist uses hands and ropes, the 2 most important "tools" in the trip to symbolize the bonds of friendship and solidarity that were formed during the voyage. The strings and ropes also represent the waves of the ocean that carried them across the sea, as well as the weaving of their stories and experiences into a collective narrative. The painting expresses the artist’s vision of how the voyage fostered a strong connection among each other and how they can weave and create something impactful together.
The Dreamer’s Kaleidoscope
2023
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 50cmThe Dreamer’s Kaleidoscope is inspired by the artist's recent sailing journey from Hong Kong to Japan, a manifestation of her personal feelings of the odyssey. It is a vivid expression of her emotions and experiences, as she sailed through a world of wonder and magic. The painting portrays the sea as a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, a mixture of imagination and reality. The painting also reveals her longing and regret, as she realises that the journey was too good to be true and only just a dream.
Dysmorphia
2021
Digital painting
80cm x 80cmDysmorphia is a deeply personal exploration of the artist's struggles with self-image and identity. The fragmented, exaggerated body parts symbolize insecurity and disconnection, with bold colors and surreal forms capturing the overwhelming nature of body dysmorphia. The large, expressive eyes indicate intense introspection and a search for self-acceptance, while the disembodied hands and mouth reflect discomfort with physicality. This visual discord powerfully represents the artist's internal conflict between outward appearance and inner self, and stands as a testament to their resilience in confronting insecurities and reclaiming identity.
Red
2024
Digital painting
100cm x 130cm
Red explores the complexities surrounding traditional marriage rituals. The overwhelming presence of red conveys the intensity of the experience — the joy and excitement, but also the weight of societal expectations and the emotional upheaval of leaving one's family behind. The transition into married life, though a momentous milestone, can also be tinged with a profound sense of loss, uncertainty and the feeling of isolation. This duality of joy and sorrow is a poignant reflection of the complex and deeply personal nature of such cultural rituals.
Brown & Blue
2022
Mixed media on wood panel
50cm x 50cm
Brown & Blue uses a unique and textural medium to convey a message of resilience and perseverance. The artist has crafted a mandala pattern using joint compound, creating a three-dimensional, almost sculptural effect on the surface. The repeated floral motifs, reminiscent of traditional artistic styles, lend a sense of beauty and elegance to the piece. Yet, the aged and weathered appearance of the work, with its rusty undertones and worn edges, symbolizes the challenges that many marginalized communities have faced. The artwork suggests that despite negative assumptions and stereotypes, these communities continue to shine through in the face of adversity.
You Are Good Enough
2021
Digital painting
64cm x 80cm
64cm x 80cm
You Are Good Enough serves as a heartfelt love letter from the artist to herself, powerfully affirming her personal journey. It portrays her standing before three mirrors, each reflecting a distorted image, symbolizing the struggles of embracing a mixed identity, diverse cultures, and faith in a world that often fails to celebrate such diversity. Surrounded by a vibrant array of plants, flowers, and small red hearts, the image eloquently conveys themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and the artist's resolve to love herself in spite of societal pressures. It is also a poignant reminder to herself that it's okay to be different.
Bazaar
2020
Digital painting
64cm x 80cm
Bazaar was inspired by the artist's youthful days of selling unique ethnic items from her travels around the world and Pakistan. It reflects the joy of sharing her identity and culture, introducing beautiful artifacts from different places, and connecting with people. The artwork also captures a time when she was more experimental and bold in their fashion choices, blending religious and cultural elements into modern everyday wear. It is a celebration of her pride in being unique and daring, and her enjoyment of expressing her individuality through her diverse heritage.
Pray
2020
Digital painting
80cm x 80cm
Pray depicts a figure in a meditative, spiritual state. The bold, stylized figure is adorned with a striking headdress, surrounded by intricate, kaleidoscopic patterns and vivid colours. The serene expression and dynamic composition suggest a sense of inner contemplation and sacred ritual. The artwork invites the viewer to reflect on the significance of prayer, devotion, and the deeply personal and cultural aspects of spiritual expression.
ہاتھ
2022
Digital painting
80cm x 64cm
"ہاتھ" (pronounced as hath), which means hands in Urdu, is inspired by the psychedelic effects observed in thermology, where heat signatures or temperature variations across a surface are visualized. The illustration features two hands, symbolizing two individuals from different backgrounds. When these hands come together, they generate warmth, love, and support. This artwork conveys the powerful message that underneath our differences, we are all the same, with the same blood flowing through us. By coming together, we create a better, more colourful world. It’s a beautiful reminder of the unity and shared humanity that binds us all.
