New Hero: Aleena Sharif
Meet artist Aleena Sharif, a Pakistani woman living and working in Los Angeles, who loves creating massive canvases depicting parts of women’s bodies not often celebrated. Read on to learn about her inspirations, goals, and famous people she’d like to fuck…
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you began as an artist
Growing up in Pakistan, I was made aware that the action of having a female body uncovered or exposed was not allowed. While I followed the culture of how to dress and act, I knew it wasn’t the mindset that I believed in. Then it was the complete opposite when I went to New York to study Fine Arts in which we had nude models for painting and drawing. This is where I was freely able to explore the idea of the female figure and see how much I loved it as a subject matter. Which I now continue to explore in my work. As I worked more with these ideas I found more and more power in each piece because I knew there is a much deeper message behind them.
What is your relationship like to your body?
I have a very healthy attitude to my body with the occasional off day as well. My approach to it is to have the idea that yes this is my body and this is what I look like and I am happy with it even if there are aspects I would like to change. I don’t obsess with it and don’t let it affect my self worth.
Your paintings show close-ups and grabbing and angles that show off curves—how do you want people to feel viewing your art?
I would love for people to look at my art and firstly have a very visceral reaction in which they can really feel the painting and then for some to find comfort in seeing these female figures in a real depiction rather than hiding the “undesirable” parts. For most of my full body paintings the figure is usually a large body figure taking up the whole canvas and looking down on the viewer which creates a power shift in which the viewer is not being looked at and has to look up at the painting as a sign of respect.
What is the message behind your art?
CONFIDENCE!! From the poses to the size to everything. The intention is to take up space and demand the respect they deserve.
Most important piece you've made to date?
I love all my works and they all have a meaning but if I had to choose one it would be "No Longer Available" (shown below).
This was the first time I had painted this pose of stomach grabbing and I find it so powerful—I found in real life I spend a lot of time doing different variations of this exact movement. I think I also love it because I've never seen such a vulnerable pose depicted before.
What inspires your work?
Usually emotions. I start off with a feeling and try to narrow it down to a word or phrase and then from there I am able to get a pose that reflects that. I feel like the body is so in-tune with the mind that whatever the feeling it is mimicked in movement so in this way it works very well together
What gives you pleasure?
Going to be a true Taurus and say comfort, luxury, a good smelling candle, touch, good company, music, FOOD and of course creating art.
What would you tell yourself as a young girl/if you could comfort her/reassure her?
Theres no need to rush! Everything will happen when and as it’s meant to. And to not hold on to something so tight with fear that you'll lose it and end up forgetting to actually enjoy it in the moment.
Describe the space/vibe/music when you're at work.
I’m so particular about my work space! I usually work at night and need to be in sweatpants and a tank top and have to have a water, an iced coffee and a cold diet coke with me. And there always needs to be music, recently been very into over the ear headphones. As for the studio, I usually have most of my paintings hung up so I can use them as references, and a million paintbrushes.
Famous person you'd most like to fuck? Living or dead.
I've narrowed it down to either one of the Egyptian pharaohs or Justin Bieber.
