An AWARD-WINNING Pendle artist has put the local scene on the map by selling her work as far afield as Qatar in the Middle East.

Shahida Ahmed, who studied at Nelson and Colne College and has a studio at Higherford Mill, Barrowford as well as being based partly in Doha, believes that her success is the perfect way to represent the incredible talent of female artists, especially those who have honed their skills locally.

However, her works now having been sold at the Albahie auction house in Qatar, she also believes that there is much more to do to ensure that all people’s talents can flourish.

Ms Ahmed said: “I feel valued and respected as a female artist because Albahie gave me the opportunity and my works sold.

“Only 17 per cent of the art world represents females and it's all about the opportunity and recognition.

“Having been awarded the Alhambra art award for excellence in London and been given many other recognitions, I still question why local galleries and museums still don't represent local talent and Asian female artists?

“How can we lead to empower the youth of tomorrow?”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Shahida Ahmed

Ms Ahmed has also recently debuted a new signature that will feature on her works and simply reads ‘She’.

The anonymous pronoun ‘She’ will denote, Ms Ahmed says, “a woman, no faith, colour or culture”, whose art was there to be freely interpreted by all.

The pandemic meanwhile has proved not only to be a challenge, but also at times a source of inspiration.

Ms Ahmed said: “I am humbled and privileged to have exhibited around the world and have my works showcased in prestigious buildings.

“My local MP Andrew Stephenson has always supported my art journey.

“My recent works have been created over the Pandemic.

“Four exhibitions were cancelled, but I was able to make more work inspired by colours and shapes.

“My most moving collection is a series I did on children in a light bulb called call for humanity, these were real children who are suffering around the world due to poverty.

“I painted them in a bulb to show that children are the light of the world and we switch them on and off when we suit, the bulb represents the man-made vacuum we capture them in.”

Further plans are afoot for Shahida Ahmed, who plans to release her first novel Through Brown Eyes, later this year and which is partly set in her home county.

She said: “No matter what, I am a Lancashire girl and Pendle is home.”

To find out more about Shahida Ahmed's work, go to: https://www.facebook.com/Shahidaartist/ and https://www.instagram.com/shahida_art/.