Narjis is a media installation artist working at the intersection of cinema and relational art. Seeking to go beyond the coarse representational knowledge of things, Narjis stages a poetic, philosophical and spiritual meditation on light through sensory installation art. She creates large-scale light and sound installations incorporating projection, animation, video, moving image, textile and voice. The immersive art experience in her work engages the audience in performative participation. People transform the artwork into an event. Narjis began her career as a painter and graduated with the highest honour of distinction from the National College of Arts in Pakistan. She then travelled to Turkey for a Masters’ in Media and Design from Bilkent University, Ankara. During this time she exhibited large-scale light installations in Iran, Turkey and Pakistan. In 2017, she was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship and completed a practice-led PhD at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. Her artistic research produced a body of work and most notable is the multisensory light and sound installation titled Hayakal al Noor, Bodies of Light inspired Islamic philosophy of illumination. Narjis is currently part of the team at the Interactive Media Lab at the University of New South Wales, developing new technologies for interactive participatory media art.
Publications
~ PhD Art and Design thesis : Image and the Imaginal, Ta’wil of Art Practices of Light
~Performance Philosophy Journal : Ta’wil in Practices of Light, 2019
Professional Experience
PhD Scholar- Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand 2017-2021
– Managed six art exhibitions of light and sound installations based on my practice-led doctoral research
– Developed and presented proposals for my installation art exhibitions to various galleries in Australia and New Zealand. Details of commissioned work and other exhibitions are listed in ‘Recent Exhibition’ section below
– Proposal writing: developed PhD proposals for various universities and secured the Vice Chancellors doctoral scholarship in the faculty of Design and Creative Technologies at AUT, New Zealand.
– PhD thesis of 60,000 words submitted for examination at AUT.
Teaching Artist – International Children Art festival, China 2016
– Paid work for online art workshops over three sessions–coordination, collaboration, and art workshops
Intern – Digital Experience Collective, Bilgi University, Turkey 2016
– Worked on animations and sound design in Adobe CC and projection mapping in Madmapper.
– Used Blender and Cinema 4D for 3D modelling of concept design.
Teaching Assistant – Deptt. of Communication, Bilkent University, Turkey 2015 – 2016
– Studio Assistant for design and architecture studios.
– Contributed to assignment design and project development.
– Invigilator
Co-founder/CEO – ArtJamz (Arts Cafe) 2014
– Collaborated with ArtJamzdc.com to start a franchise in Pakistan
– Managed leasing and the fit-outs for the commercial space
– Organized the launch event – recruited 8 volunteers
– Secured sponsorship from Dulux and Pepsi for Public art experience.
– Successfully operated the venture by managing procurement for supplies, commercial transactions, and the workforce – achieved financial breakeven.
Academic Program Manager – School of Art, Design & Architecture, National University of Science &Technology, Pakistan 2012 – 2013
– Managed coordination among full-time and adjunct faculty within the program.
– Accountable for academic calendar, schedules, and international workshops for syllabus and co-curricular developments
– Performed human resource management duties for all adjunct instructors, including performance reviews, payroll, and scheduling.
– Academic liaison between the Dean, program faculty and the students.
– Managed periodic recruitment of 4 Teaching Assistants for design studios.
– Guest lecturer and juror for foundation year students of design studios.
Education
PhD Arts and Design, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand 2017 – 2021
– Recipient of Vice Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship
– Held 6 exhibitions at Australian and New Zealand galleries
– Published an article in the Performance Philosophy Journal 2019 and presented my research at 11th Internal Image conference held at the University of New South Wales, Sydney 2020.
– Permanent Member of the Substantial Motion Research Network founded by Media Theorist Laura U. Marks.
Master of Fine Arts in Media and Design, Bilkent University, Turkey 2014 – 2016
– Recipient of Merit scholarship at Bilkent University
– Teaching Assistant to Graduate Studio of Art and Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, National College of Arts, Pakistan 2008 – 2012
– Awarded pass with distinction (highest merit)
Skills
– Graphics designing, videography, video editing, animation, and audio editing, proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, in particular Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Adobe Audition
– Word procession (MS-Word), spreadsheet management (MS-Excel)
– Internet technologies for communication and collaboration
– Projection mapping and installation art spatial design.
Exhibitions:
2017:
Kuch Khass Artist Talk in Islamabad Pakistan
2016:
MFA Thesis Exhibition at Cermodern, Ankara
MFA Thesis Exhibition at FADA Exhibition Hall Bilkent University
2015:
Bilkent Typography exhibition, Ankara
Bilkent Animation exhibition, Ankara
Bilkent Graduate Studio II Exhibition, Ankara
2014:
Screening and official selection of film in 5th ART BY CHANCE Ultra Short Film Festival Istanbul
Bilkent Graduate Studio I Exhibition, Ankara
2013
“FRESH” Group show under 30 at Amin Gulgee Gallery Karachi
2012:
“Pastiche” Group show at National Art Gallery Islamabad
“Pastiche” Group show at Zahoor ul Akhlaq Gallery Lahore
Radio Show interview as young emerging artist on FM 107 Karachi
“Open Day Call” Exhibition at port grand in Karachi
Degree Show at National College of Arts
2011:
Group show at Fakhruddin Hall , Gurgan Iran.
Group show at Tehzeeb Gallery F7 Islamabad.
Group show of photography titled “ Takhleeq ” at Pakistan National Council of Arts