Maria Rasheed

Carpet Fragments 1 & 2

Gouache on paper

“There are some carpets in my house that have, for over three generations, provided a backdrop for a collection of photographs and memories. My work features these hand-woven carpets and rugs, exported, designed, or collected by my grandfather. By documenting a historic carpet fragment or familial prayer rug, I am preserving individual and collective memories associated with them. Having recently migrated to the U.S., this documentation gradually became a way of staying connected with my roots. These works also depict fragility, loss, and frailty; themes that are reminiscent of my grandfather's memory deteriorating during his later years.”

— Maria Rasheed

About the artist

Maria Rasheed

American

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, I am a Dallas-based, Pakistani artist, trained as a Visual Communication designer. Graduated in 2009, from Beaconhouse National University, Pakistan with a B.F.A Hons. with distinction. A mixed media artist with a keen interest in exploring various methods of painting, illustrating and printing techniques such as linocuts and cyanotypes. My work features hand woven carpets and rugs that depict fragility, loss, and frailty of human memory and material objects. I have taught Art and Design at two prestigious art schools in Pakistan, at my alma mater, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore and at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) Karachi. I have exhibited in group shows in Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan and curated exhibitions of hand knotted carpets and kilims.