Shehzil Malik, a young Pakistani ‘artivist’ shared that her artwork has been selected for United Nation’s poster competition. The theme focuses on raising awareness about COVID-19 through art.
The idea of the competition was to convey key messages associated with stopping the spread of the deadly virus. People around the world are appreciating the efforts of every participant.
The news was shared through her social media accounts in which she stated:
@wetransfer in supporting the @unitednations compiled artworks that talk about the pandemic and raise awareness for ways to help. My art on donating also made the list- and I’m esp happy they chose this one because there’s Urdu in it :’) Check out the feature here:
I’m a designer and illustrator with a focus on societal issues like identity, feminism and women’s rights
Here’s her post below
Shehzil artwork has been posted on the website along with the description:
The things that make me very, very happy are: going for a long walk outdoors and feeling safe; sad twinkly music; coffee; flowers; my close friends; beauty; drawing; safe spaces for all women; a garden; a swing; small animals; children enjoying themselves; very old trees. I’m a designer and illustrator with a focus on societal issues like identity, feminism and women’s rights. I live in Lahore, Pakistan where I lead an independent studio which collaborates on a range of projects, from fashion and publication design to illustration and branding.
Shehzil Malik is famous for her illustrations on empowering brown women and giving the message that brown is beautiful. When asked about her experience on skin shaming, she said:
My mother and sister both are extremely fair, I grew up being compared to them and being shamed for my skin colour. I used terrible skin lightening creams; creams that are now banned because they had mercury and various other bleaching chemicals that cause cancer and lasting damage but it seemed to be a small price to pay for being able to fit in.
She further added:
I can laugh now at how absurdly I’d draw my features and proportions but back then I was in a constant fight with my body.
Shehzil also added that with the passage of time, she got to know that majority of women experience body-shaming and then she decided to be raise her voice against it. Well, we really need more people like Shehzil in our society who could bravely give the message that a brown woman can be happy, independent, strong and powerful in her own skin.
She designs for social change and has created a number of posters for Aurat March in 2019 that received appreciation globally.
In May this year, Google celebrated Saadat Hasan Manto’s 108th birthday with a doodle designed by the Pakistani designer and illustrator.
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