Expressive and Vibrant
paintings by
Mahnoor Hussain
by Sarah Mills
Historically, art and fertility have an age old relationship. The concept of creation and life is at the root of most religions and cultures. Being female instinctively labels you as a child-bearing instrument. Your identity and purpose in life is predefined by your sex. In modern times when we are becoming more aware of globalization and social issues pertaining to present cultures, equal importance is required for self-realization and personal identity. My latest body of work is dealing with the idea of infertility and what being female means without the ability to reproduce. The complexities and blind spots one encounters during that winding and long journey, dealing with ideas of physicality, trauma, sexuality, and mental health are some of the topics I am exploring in my paintings and drawings. The works are an extremely personal representation and yet also hold the power of connection through shared experiences. It is a way of connecting with the self and at the same time reaching out to others who may find it relatable and to create a safe space for such discussions to be held.
When did you first begin creating art?
Art has been an integral part of my childhood. I come from a family of creatives, so art was a form of self-expression in our home. Honestly, as far back as I can remember I have been creating art. It’s difficult to limit it to a specific time frame or to even separate it from myself or the person I am.