This British Indian artist’s illustrations bring Mughal miniature paintings into the present
In addition to the creation of objects and memory, Ahmed’s work also hosts a second more contemplative visual language. Whoever does not move from the margins but who is slower, sequential and narrative. In Nur & The Nightmare, an illustrated series of 12 works of art inspired by miniatures, she overthrows the folk trope of women kidnapped by clever jinn to present a consensual love story between Nur, a princess and Kabus, a djinn presenting women. “In South Asian mythology, jinns are often considered to be beings that change their form, so their sex is also constantly evolving. It made me want to play with the idea that humans embody jinn, ”she explains. In the section entitled FallNur and Kabus are seen resting in the shade of a tree. The text is read as follows: “Nur has spoken of the deep rot in his kingdom, Kabus spoke of the limits of Djinn’s law. Their shadows met as lovers, their darkness touches themselves to discover themselves. Nur saw his reflection play on the pearly wings of Kabus and found his comfort there.”
