Untitled 2 (from 'Lahore' series)

Risham Syed's (Pakistan b.1969) paintings Lahore series focus on the backs of buildings that appear blank, faceless, indeterminate. She deliberately chooses sites that will be transformed by impending development and are not intended to be seen. They are temporary spaces and, by capturing and freezing them in these delicate paintings, Syed frames the space of change.

Syed draws on the refined tradition of South Asian miniature painting. Since the 1980s, this art form has seen a revival in Pakistan, particularly centred around the National College of Arts in Lahore where students are taught the refined tradition and artists have reworked the medium into new forms.

Departing from the figure as a central motif in miniature painting, Syed concentrates on empty, in-between spaces around her native city, Lahore. This ancient city traces its origins to pre-historic myths, and has seen many transformations under Turkish, Mughal and British rule. Yet, in recent decades the city has been developing and growing faster than ever.

Exhibited in 'The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT8) | 21 Nov 2015 – 10 Apr 2016