Equipped with vibrant cotton thread and wooden panels, Nosheen Iqbal embroiders sculptural embroidery that draws from her Pakistani and Islamic heritage. Architectural arabesques and Punjabi craft traditions influence her mixed-media motifs, including phulkarior folkloric floral embroideries and woodcut reliefs, known as bag.
Iqbal uses semi-circles and semi-precious stone beads to add depth and visual intrigue to the works. These carefully planned details create shadows and catch the light, allowing for a shift in perspective depending on the viewer’s position. The expansive lines of color create “saturated pathways that reveal their intensity and depth,” she adds, “allowing my work to offer a varying experience of light, color and connection.”
By emphasizing the dimension and interactions between materials, Iqbal hopes to push the medium in new directions while honoring broader traditions of making. She says:
Craftsmanship has profound meaning in Pakistani culture, where artistry is revered as a lifelong discipline that shapes identity and community. This respect for meticulous craftsmanship is an integral part of my own practice. By carefully selecting materials – wood, semi-precious stone beads and wire – I want to honor this tradition. Each piece is a reflection of this cultural value, blending refined textures with precision to invite a tactile, immersive experience for the viewer.
Born in London, Iqbal lives and works in Dallas and recently left a long career in design and art direction to become a full-time artist. Available documents can be found at her website and follow her work Instagram.
