Rereading tradition and identity in contemporary miniatures by examining the works of Shahzia Sikander

Identity is a multidimensional issue which its origin should be sought in the desire of human beings to explore their intrinsic affiliations, with the aim of satisfaction of needs and the sense of social belonging, and also identifying personality traits that will distinguish one person from another. As one of the most challenging areas in the theoretical sciences, identity has become one of the concerns of contemporary artists. In this research, firstly a definition of identity will be obtained, then the life of the Pakistani artist, Shahzia Sikander will be investigated. Maturing in turbulent political and cultural environment in Lahore, Pakistan, Shahzia achieved the artistic ingenuity after immigration. she found her role in researching and tracing the origins of the Islamic visual traditions. combining the visual elements of miniature and allegories of the two cultures of India and Islam, she Explores her personal life, politics and especially the role of Muslim women in the contemporary world. The absence of women in social and artistic societies is one of her concerns that she utilizes modern media to express the elements of Indu-Persian miniature in a new language. This research study the works of this artist in a descriptive-analytical method and its purpose is to analyze the works of the artist in discovering the complexities of identity and recognizing the capabilities of tradition in the context of contemporary art requirements. The following questions are also answered in this regard: What are the components of identity in Sikander’s works? Has the artist been able to answer questions about her identity? What elements has she found to express her ideas?