Alice in wonderland has always been one of my favourite books while Mad Hatter reigns supreme. I can relate to her constant state of amazement at how strange and beautiful this world is and size is simply a matter of perception.
Looking at Amna Saleem’s art makes me think I am not the only Alice fan out there. She managed to prove that an ordinary daily usage item can be transformed into some extraordinary; if one has a little bit of whimsy. Even now looking at the tiny cards i feel as if they will suddenly blow up and jack of hearts will come riding out from behind them and that’s as exciting as it is scary.
True art is supposed to make you feel something and her art takes me back to a time when i looked at world with wonderment.
The quote that i am just another Alice who is trying to find her way out of her head and into wonderland, it is as true as for Amna as it was for vazaki nada and teaches us that it pays to keep a little magic of our childhood with us as we grow older.
Amna Saleem graduated from Communication Design department, Indus Valley school of Art and Architecture. For a living she draws and designs. Her workplace is a combination of lots of colors and a container which is filled with erasers.
Amna got her most exciting contract from none other than Coke Studio Pakistan.
“They were publishing a coffee table book of sorts, and I was to create some items that were signature Coke Studio. Using erasers, cardboard and wire, with no laser-cutting or moulds, I cut out a Coke Studio Logo, carved Coke bottles, a set of tablas and a guitar, Everything was entirely handmade, and since these couldn’t fit in a bottle, I got a glass box made to preserve and showcase the tiny figurines,”, said Amna.
Amna has now started with bigger sculptures which are made from plaster of paris.
Below are some of her works:
