Artist Sayeeda Ali talks about her journey and acrylic painting -THE HINDU

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On a transparent canvas

“One of the proudest moment in my life was when I shared the stage alongside MF Hussian in Hyderabad,” says Sayeeda Ali, a city-based 51-year-old artist who specialises in reverse acrylic painting.

Recently she exhibited her paintings at Visakha Museum in remembrance of MVVS Murthy, the founder of GITAM University. Reverse painting is an art form where the paint is applied on transparent surface like an acrylic sheet or a glass. It’s done in such a way that image is viewed turning the transparent surface and looking through it. “I prefer to paint on acrylic sheets instead of a glass because they are less likely to break and easier to carry,” Sayeeda says.

Some of the themes of her works in the exhibition were society, Nature and living spaces. She displayed over 50 painting at the exhibition. Some of them were portrait painting of late MVVS Murthy, series of flower paintings, domestic cats, empty spaces in a home and more. She says, “I don’t look for specific subjects while painting. I let my mood and colours guide the process.” For instance, in her Sankranti paintings the bright colours used not only capture the mood of the festival but also the perplexed expressions of Gangireddu (decorated ox).

Her journey as an artist began after she won an art competition as a six-year-old. It gave her the confidence to continue painting while growing up. “I spent hours sketching as a child. It allowed me to express and understand myself better,” she shares.

There was a time when she wanted to be a doctor. However, she followed her heart and studied fine arts. In the process, she met some of the leading artists. One of them was Padma Vibhushan winning artist KG Subramanyan. His influence pushed Sayeeda to explore acrylic painting.

In the last three decades, she has displayed her works in Canada, France, USA, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

In the coming few months she will display her works in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai.