Fatima Zhara Hassan
Profile
Fatima Zahra Hassan (aka Zahra) is an interdisciplinary fine art practitioner, educator, and researcher. With extensive experience in administration and leadership, Zahra brings a unique perspective to traditional art. She is the founder/director of School of Miniature Painting London and FZH Atelier London.
Training
Born in Pakistan and trained as a miniature painter at the prestigious National College of Art Lahore, she began her tutelage under the renowned miniature painting teacher - Professor Bashir Ahmad. Her specialisation is in South Asian and Persian Miniature Painting. In time, she pursued her studies at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. At the RCA, she furthered her understanding of the Visual arts from the late Professor Keith Critchlow and Mr Paul Marchant. There, she excelled and earned her Master of Arts degree with distinction. Her exceptional talent and dedication led to an invitation to pursue a Ph.D. in Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts from the King’s School of Traditional Arts in London.
Artistic excellence
As an accomplished artist, Zahra has exhibited her works nationally and internationally, showcasing her mastery of traditional art forms. Her captivating compositions in miniature painting, transport viewers to a dreamlike world, where stories unfold, and mysteries unravel. Zahra's unique approach incorporates metaphysics and semiotics, creating a visual language that is specific to the region she draws inspiration from. Over the years her dynamic practice has led her to blend in styles from the contemporary with the traditional.
Zahra's talent and dedication have been recognised through numerous awards and accolades. She has received scholarships, including the Prince of Wales’s Scholarship and Schimmel scholarship, and has been the recipient of the World of Islam, Al-Tajir Trust, London and The Brakat Trust Oxford Awards for her MA and Ph.D. Her artwork can be found in museums, private and corporate collections, including King Charles III and the Aga Khan. She was the finalist twice for The Sunday Times and Friedlander Watercolour competition in the 90s.
Research & Academia
Combining research and practice, Zahra has nourished her artistic approach through academic research projects such as the Shahnama/Shahnameh Project at the University of Cambridge. She has co-authored a book on the “The Arts & Crafts of the Islamic Lands” published by Thames and Hudson, which is a best seller. Her research interests focus on Middle Eastern and South Asian manuscript illustration, the art of the book, knowledge transfer along the Silk Route, drawing and denotation systems, and mathematical proportions in Islamic art. She has published articles on Islamic Art and South Asian and Persian Painting. She has illustrated three children’s books for the UK publishers, out of which one has been a best seller.
Emissary of the Traditional arts
Zahra has played a pivotal role in promoting traditional arts and has created several platforms for disseminating its knowledge to others. She has taught extensively on Indian, Mughal, and Persian miniature painting, drawing, and the decorative arts of the Muslim world. Zahra has conducted numerous workshops and classes at esteemed institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, The British Museum, and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. She has also been involved in postgraduate teaching at the King's School of Traditional Arts, where she continues to inspire and guide aspiring artists. She continues to grow her atelier by training students through in-depth workshops.
Describe your approach to teaching.
I have always believed in exploring methodologies to enhance knowledge transfer, making it relevant and enabling students’ creativity to be channelled through the methods employed. I am a strong believer of ‘Paradigm Shift’ in contemporary ‘Second Language’ education and try my best to practice all major changes that are known to us as educators in teaching not only with respect to Art History but also Studio Practice.
What inspires your own work?
My compositions in miniature painting transport viewers to a dreamlike world, where stories unfold, and mysteries unravel. My unique approach incorporates metaphysics and semiotics, creating a visual language that is specific to the region I draw inspiration from. Over the years my fine art practice has led me to blend in styles from the contemporary with the traditional.
