Moin Shah

This is another re-post from July 2003. I’ll be reposting the artist profiles that I did over the years on the ArtQuotes.net website. I wasn’t planning to after the complete redesign but people kept asking where they had disappeared to and I profiled some pretty cool artists over the years. Some of the artists have also passed away unfortunately, so I think it’ll be good to keep a record of their interview and artworks from that period online. I’ll be adding a few each week until they’re all back online and then I’ll do some new ones.

I’m not sure if Moin is still working as an artist as I couldn’t find his website or contact details. I used to keep in touch with Moin until I disappeared online for a couple of years.

Artist Interview from 2003

+1 ::: Why are you an artist?
I am an artist because of an unexplainable affiliation to the world of art, a natural affinity in me to colors, artforms, art objects, and drawings. I guess I was born with this as I always feel at home with the artistic.

+2 ::: Tell me about your art.
My art over the years has changed styles. I flirted a bit with surrealism, then finally broke out into my present style which is expressionist art.. very original yet modern and urbane, this style is now synonymous to my name.

+3 ::: Could you share some more about why you paint figures in groups and why are they mostly faceless?
I have an urban touch in many of my paintings and drawings, the figures (in groups) are an integral part of creating a modern ambience. Often I leave out the facial features thereby creating an aura of mystery, giving the figures a movement in vibrant colors much liked.

+4 ::: What artists have influenced you and why?
Going back to my student days I was most influenced by Goya and then Chughtai a Pakistan artist whose paintings were set in Persian and moghul emperors era. As a young student I found the figurative work of these two artists very impacting but at no stage was I confluenced by them in my work or images. Another thing I should add here is that I am self taught.

+5 ::: What do you do for fun (besides art)?
I lead a happy life and am active in swimming, going to the Gym regularly and these days am learning the Italian language, all this is fun for me beside other fun things too.

+6 ::: What inspires you to paint?
I have often been asked what inspires you to paint, in my case its an inner feeling, an inner urge which gives me the go ahead to paint, and be creative. Mostly I am driven by this urge when I work best, but I would say some times seeing certain colors or objects do trigger the urge, so they are also a source of inspiration.

+7 ::: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
I feel I have handled the biz side quite well and am pleased that it is steadily growing. I have my own studio and my work is displayed and now I have plans for for going ahead and being more organised.

+8 ::: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I will leave that for posterity to decide but am quite confident in growing towards success.

+9 ::: Tell me more about your latest series of paintings and where you are going with them.
I continue with my latest paintings with more maturity both in lines, forms, and colors resonating from the form of the figures. Occasionally I get into florals, mixed media and more.

+10 ::: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Have confidence in your self first then in your work and you will succeed.

Expressive Paintings from 2003

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Artist Statement from 2003

I Love every bit of art work that I do and am happy in it as each painting elevates the other. The best compliment I get is when these are accepted and appreciated and are a positive addition to this world.

Over the years I have developed my personal and unique style. My work has unususal color selections creating figurative and other art forms giving my paintings a unique touch and aura much liked. I find expressing myself in the expressionist style very meaningful.

I am self-taught. In 1997 I started painting in this style. I haven’t consciously or unconsciously adopted the style of any other artist .. this gives my work a freshness, which is appreciated by collectors of my paintings.

My medium is acrylic and I have my own mixing and application techniques to enrich and produce multi layers and a sense of depth or a 3-D effect. I normally use paper but also like to paint on canvas or other material. I find that I am at my best when there is music in the air.

More on Artist Moin Shah

Let us know what you think about the Pakistani artist Moin Shah in the comments below. I could’t find Moin’s recent work or contact details online. Let me know what you’re up to Moin.

You can find more Artists Profiled, Artist Interviews, Pakistani Artists, or Quotes by Famous Artists.