Funkaari Series: Mahoor Jamal

How did you got started in art and photography? When did you first get serious about being an illustrator?

I've been drawing for as long as I can remember, but my interest in photography developed when I first got a camera phone. I think I got serious about being an illustrator after I started posting my work on Instagram. I didn’t have the internet until 2012 and the kind of exposure my work got on Instagram, as well as me finding and getting inspired by other artists there really changed things for me. 

How have the events of the past year affected your creativity? How you are coping with the pandemic?

The pandemic itself has been quite stressful, but if I think about its impact on my creativity, I think it’s mostly positive. Being at home during the lockdown really helped me slow down and spend more time with my art. One of the best things to happen to me during that time was to be able to finally work on a few limited edition jewelry pieces that I had been thinking of making for so long but never got the time.

 

What do you know about Markhor? You have a Markhor shoe (Double Monk Mule), how do you feel about having them?

I have always associated Markhor with Peshawari Chappals. I absolutely fell in love when I first saw the holographic sandals Markhor did few years back.

The Double Monk Mules I got from Markhor have to be one of the most stunning pair of shoes I've ever worn. They fit perfectly and are super comfortable.

What inspires you?

Anything and everything when it comes to Photography, but emotions when it comes to painting.

Which are your favorite Pakistanis artists?

Among the illustrators, I absolutely love Sana Nasir,  Isma Gul Hasan, and Shehzil Malik, while my favorite Pakistani Photographers are Aleena Naqvi and Mehlum Sadriwala.

 

What is your relationship with footwear?

I'm super picky when it comes to footwear because the nicer designs are rarely comfortable. I also have a narrow but long foot so finding the right fit when it comes to shoes has always been the hardest. You'd normally see me wearing Converse or Birkenstocks because I believe the wrong footwear can ruin your entire day.

What is the most interesting project you've worked on and why?

I think one of the most interesting projects I've worked on so far would be "Mahoor Jamal Eid Portraits" for GENERATION as it was my first ever campaign being the Art Director, Photographer and the Stylist, all at the same time.

The concept was to create photographs the same way I compose my paintings and to shoot fifteen women, each photographed in a unique set.

It was hard not to get emotionally attached to the project and for it to have a special place in my heart.

What are you listening to, reading, and watching?

I rarely get the time to read but I make sure I squeeze in some Netflix time while I'm having breakfast or dinner.

Ever since my sister got me hooked on K Dramas, I rarely watch anything else on Netflix haha.