Aicon Art had looked forward to participating in Art Dubai 2026 and to presenting this selection of works in person. However, in light of current geopolitical concerns we have made the difficult decision not to travel at this time. While we regret that these circumstances prevent our physical participation, we remain committed to the artists, staff, and collaborators who have shaped this project. We are therefore pleased to share, in digital form, the presentation we had planned to bring to Dubai, with the same spirit of international exchange, care and dialogue. For more information about the artists, please see the bios and links below.

NUSRA LATIF QURESHI (b. Lahore, 1973) earned her BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore, and her MFA from the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne. In her practice she contemporizes South Asian miniature painting, spanning highly detailed small paintings to large-scale digital prints. Qureshi's work engages with visual histories of South Asia and Australian culture, challenging conventional interpretations. She is best known for her multi-layered paintings that revisit the miniature technique musaviri, which she was trained in during her time studying in Lahore. Through her utilization of this historical technique, she recontextualises historical archives in collage, photographs and paintings that bear witness to the asymmetries of life and its representation.  

SHER ALI (b. Kabul, 1983) completed his BFA at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, generously supported by a South Asia Foundation scholarship. Since then, Sher Ali's artistic footprint has extended globally, with exhibitions gracing significant spaces in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Sweden, Vietnam, UAE, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong. In 2021 he relocated to Melbourne, Australia where he is currently based. A visual poet, Sher Ali's works find their roots deeply embedded in poetry, culture, and history. Embracing traditional approaches, with a contemporary perspective, he delves into the controversies of daily life, questioning and expressing his thoughts in consideration of his homeland's history. His art serves as a poignant reflection, narrating the stories of hundreds of years characterized by genocide, terror, oppression, and an unwavering resilience to forget. Transitioning from traditional to universal, Sher Ali now leverages both traditional and new media to craft his masterpieces, exploring mediums such as installations, videos, paintings, and tapestries in his creative repertoire.

SANA ARJUMAND (b. Karachi, 1982) studied painting at the National College of Arts, Lahore. Her work speaks of a rare delight for the natural world, and touches upon a range of topics including gender politics, identity and religion. Enigmatic creatures are often profiled on her canvases, especially the mythic Hoopoe bird. As she notes in her artist’s statement, 'As children, we were told stories of the mystical Hoopoe bird, how it was the messenger to King Solomon, a close friend and confidant who also brought the news of the Queen of Sheba. We are taught that the Hoopoe bird is symbolic of a high spiritual station and amongst the Sufi tradition it is said the feather crown on its head represents the ultimate Truth.’ Arjumand has exhibited in Pakistan and internationally, including South Korea, London, Dubai, Hong Kong and  Hawaii.