Meet Afreen Khundmiri | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Afreen Khundmiri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Afreen, what makes you happy? Why?
For me, art brings happiness into my life. Art is how I communicate my feelings; connect with my faith and with others. My best works are often those that take weeks and months to create as lots of different emotions go into the design and creation.

My signature style is plaster of Paris on Canvas. I have this urge to fill in voids and make straight lines, so its personally gratifying when I create pieces with plaster as It adds dimension and character. For me, plaster brings the artwork to life.

I like to create pieces that are relevant and connect with this generation. Second and third generation of immigrants that are in the US have deep respect for tradition and are looking for ways to connect back to their childhood as well as enrich their surroundings with meaningful phrases from the holy Quran.

If I were to describe my art in 3 words, it would be… Social Change, Inspiration and Identity. Social change as I use my platform to provide medical assistance to those in need. Inspiration, as I share my story of dyslexia to create awareness and identity, as my art connects people with their faith, culture and childhood.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated in Finance from Kennesaw and worked as an IT auditor for 8 years before quitting and becoming a full time artist.

And I have never been as happy and passionate about my work as I am now.

My passion for art comes from my late father, a notable Islamic architect who designed over 500 mosque throughout south east Asia as well as my lifelong struggle with Dyslexia.

Throughout my childhood, I struggled with reading, writing and pronouncing words. I struggled to understand why I was being punished for being different. I struggled quietly, knowing that I was different. Being left handed made things even worse. I found solace in painting to connect with others and more importantly, to prove my existence to others.

My disability has become my greatest asset; to enrich the lives of others, spread inclusiveness and more importantly, through art, create a bridge to understand each other as we all have our own struggle.

After my father’s untimely passing, I was searching for peace and the meaning of life. I wanted to do something my dad would be proud of. After a period of reflection, I realized that my dad found peace in helping the less fortunate through his work.

I wanted to carry his legacy and be close to him in spirit, so I started making Islamic calligraphies with a mission to help the less fortunate, just as he did.

With funds raised last year, we provided medicine for several patients, funded 3 emergency surgeries and are providing ongoing treatment for 4 kidney and heart patients.

My paintings have also raised money for several non-profit organizations,

Through my art, I found meaning and purpose. Through my art, I enrich the lives of others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Father, late Mr. Talib Khundmiri. He was a renowned Urdu Poet from India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Mahmood_Khundmiri

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Website: www.shopakartist.com www.Lillahservices.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akartist/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Akartist-1195222540567083

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdakfO25g9ZRCXND6VWbSNg

Lillah Services mission statement is: “Serving the underprivileged with critical medical care, access to education and providing food insecurity assistance so that everyone can full and dignified lives.”