Humaira Abid


Humaira Abid is a contemporary artist who was born in Pakistan. The main element she works with is wood. Her recent work combines traditional miniature painting with wood sculpture. Her work examines women's roles, relationships, and taboos from a cross-cultural perspective.

Background

Humaira Abid is based in Seattle but was born in Pakistan. She moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2008. Much of her miniature paintings and wood work is based on her focus of refugee women, women in general, and their struggles. She grew up in an area in Pakistan where it was considered unspeakable to discuss periods, puberty, and the natural processes of women's bodies. It was her goal to set out and normalize these things so women don't feel ashamed of themselves and what they can't physically control.

Awards and Exhibitions

Abid's work has been exhibited and published internationally. Her work has been reviewed by the Seattle Times, the Stranger, KUOW Public Radio, and the Seattle Weekly. She has appeared in the Stranger's Arts & Performances Quarterly magazine and the Huffington Post.
In 2012, Abid's installation "Breakdown in the Closet" was the winner of International Museum of Women's Community Choice Award for the MAMA: Motherhood Around the Globe exhibition. Clare Winterton, the museum's executive director, said "Humaira Abid's work is a reminder and challenge to all of us to create a world where the depth and complexity of all of our stories of women, and as mothers, can be seen, acknowledged and understood."
In 2014, she was awarded GAP funding by 4Culture and included in the "Knock on Wood" Biennial exhibition at Bellevue Arts Museum.
Abid was the subject of a short documentary, , produced and directed by Laila Kazmi. The short film aired on PBS on KCTS 9 television.
In 2017 Abid was awarded the Art Innovator Award Finalist by Artist Trust.

Selected Solo Exhibitions