Sheeba Khan, Artist

Hello! This is Jackson and welcome to the 23rd interview for my interview blog, 3 Art Questions With Jackson. This interview is a little different because I interviewed Sheeba Khan who I met on Instagram and Sheeba lives in Dubai. I noticed her paintings on Instagram and I was so impressed. The paintings are unique and beautiful and Sheeba's story (https://www.artbysheebakhan.com/) seems like something a person would read in a book. I hope you like it! Thanks for reading!




Jackson: Do you think your childhood influenced your decision to become an artist? Your childhood sounds like a fairytale.



Sheeba: Not quite. But my childhood spent growing up in the jungles of India does influence the textures, the choice of colors and the vivid details that were etched in my subconscious. Truth is, I got into art rather suddenly and miraculously only 7 years ago. I had never picked up a paintbrush or drawn a line before that. Ironically enough, it’s not my childhood raised as a ‘jungle princess’ that got me into art. It’s a very dark period that ignited art in me. And it’s those nights spent in doubt, fear and anxiety that actually provide substance for my work. Art saved me. It helped me walk towards light. I dumped the anti-depressants I was prescribed and chose art to fight my demons. It was a tough call but, looking back, the best decision I had taken. Some close friends who know my story say it’s worthy of being a book and I say I prefer telling it with my work. Too lazy to write. And isn’t a picture worth a 1000 words? LOL.



Jackson: Where do the ideas for your paintings come from? Does Dubai inspire you?



Sheeba: The ideas come straight from my experiences. If the dark period awakened art in me, the stories and the concepts in my work invariably come from those experiences. But ironically enough, my work is vibrant, vivid, colorful and not dark and ominous. Maybe it’s the hope, the happiness that I seek (and find in art) that shows itself on the canvas. The many layers, subliminal shapes and hidden stories have so many interpretations. That’s the best part about abstract expressionism, people find their own interpretation. Dubai is a very modern and vibrant city full of hope and optimism. A city constantly evolving and moving. I guess the vibrancy and the constant movement in my work may be inspired by Dubai.



Jackson: If you could meet any artist living or dead, who would it be and why?



Sheeba: There are many artists I admire. Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, Janet Sobel, Monet amongst the old masters. And from the living artists I am a huge fan of Gerhard Richter. His work is so vibrant and full of life. He is a living legend. I would love to spend a day with him just watching him work.