SUHA SHAIK

A Foreign Light

2022

This digital piece is inspired by South Asian Heritage. Elements of the illustration were inspired specifically by South Indian influences. It depicts a brown-skinned south asian woman in the centre, holding a hand up to her left shoulder. There are sun designs all over the body, and mehndi-inspired designs in a dark brown colour on the hand. Designs on the neck are inspired by an Indian choker necklace, and the design on the middle of the forehead is inspired by a “maang tikka” headpiece, with a yellow outline, and red dots to signify the jewels. Eyes are a greenish-white without pupils, and mint green accent lines around the brow bone. There is a singular purple-blue streak going down the left eye with a rustic texture, and a sun placed behind the head with a sunset sky photo masked in the centre. Rays coming out of the sun with text saying “A Foreign Light” in an arch shape around the head.

ARTIST | Suha Shaik

She/Her

Suha Shaik is a 17 year old high school student. Her Indian heritage inspires her exploration and incorporation of culture in her artwork to reconnect with her heritage, and her art. As an active member of her community, she’s participated in volunteer work including participating in organizing events to uplift women of colour. She is also very passionate about writing, with her work being centred around the experience of a BIPOC woman, decolonization and reconnection with her roots. She combines visual art with her writing to create meaningful impact. As a young artist she hopes to express herself through her art in a meaningful way.

ARTIST MENTOR | Keosha Love

She/her
Instagram: @keoshaloveee

Keosha is an award-winning artist, activist and educator who creates spaces for wellness and collection liberation in marginalized communities. As a poet and writer, Keosha is notable for centering healing, womanism and self-actualization in her work. She closely explores the diverse narratives and identities of Black and racialized people to promote liberation and empowerment. In 2016, Keosha founded Our Women's Voices, a Toronto-based non-for-profit focused on amplifying the voices of women and making social change through arts, education and community organizing.

Keosha's work can be found in collaboration with Facebook, Nike, The Raptors, Art Gallery of York University, Never Apart Magazine & more. Her piece "A Prayer for Black Women" has been shared nationally and featured in CBC’s Poetic License. Most recently, Keosha hosted her debut interview series Black & Vulnerable also on CBC. With her BA in Psychology and roots in creative arts, Keosha also teaches workshops on mental health, creative writing and social justice.  In 2019, Keosha was the recipient of the RISE Community Award for her contributions towards her community. Ultimately, Keosha Love is a storyteller and driven change-maker who has become a well-recognized voice that inspires others to use theirs.

Online portfolio: www.keoshalove.com
Email: hello@keoshalove.com