Hiba Schahbaz

Hiba Schahbaz, born in Karachi, Pakistan, currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in the organic materials of her cultural heritage, utilizing traditional elements such as paper, black tea, and water and oil pigments on linen.

Initially, Schahbaz focused on creating small-scale portraits and miniatures, often drawing inspiration from self-portraiture. However, after moving to the United States, her work evolved from miniature painting to larger-scale pieces that explore the female form. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Painting with a specialization in Museum Studies from Pratt Institute in New York and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Miniature Painting with minors in Printmaking, Sculpture, and Product Design from the National College of Arts in Lahore.

The central theme of Schahbaz's work is the exploration of female bodies, providing a collected and intimate space for experimentation with forms and fantastical echoes. While her own body serves as a model, the narratives she presents are universal tales of censorship, freedom, and sexuality.

Her exhibition at Palazzo Reale features all four miniatures from the collection, characterized by a delicate and fairy-tale-like palette with pastel tones and shades. Notable works include the sensual silhouettes in Rose (2022) and Embrace (2023), showcasing dreamlike figures immersed in their symbolic worlds.

As a Pakistani-American artist, Schahbaz has participated in several artist residencies, including Stoneleaf Residency (2019) and MASS MoCA (2018), enriching her practice and expanding her artistic horizons. Through her work, she creates a dialogue that intertwines personal history with broader cultural narratives, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of femininity and identity.