Exclusive Interview of Shanzay Subzwari

Shanzay Subzwari: Well, my work has developed over the years from a strong interest in popular culture and pop art to a more concentrated inclusion of the idea of ‘deception’ in my paintings. What’s more, while I have painted in Oils and Acrylics since the beginning, my training in the centuries-old technique of Mughal Miniature Painting has led me to currently concentrate on this medium extensively.  This involves the use of delicate brushes made of squirrel hair, and gouache (opaque watercolour) on vasli (handmade paper). My work can be called part of ‘contemporary miniature’.

What you will see in my current series is the element of deception and the notion of ‘what you see is not what you get’. For e.g. major world-decisions, be them political or based on the economy, are made by unknown parties, and what is fed to us by the media is mostly a farce. Advertisements also manipulate us to buy unnecessary products that they claim will make us happier. Not many know about Edward Bernays, the ‘invisible’ nephew of Sigmund Freud, who single-handedly convinced corporations to attach ‘emotions’ to advertisements, which led to the creation of a highly materialistic society. My work often incorporates overlapped or dual images of well-recognized figures as a tool to reveal the multiplicity and layers attached to situations, where the reality, or truth lies hidden.