Pakistani Markhor (Screw Horn Goats)

Oil on canvas

The first of the Islamic collection to splash out against discrimination, raise awareness of the near threatened screw horn goat and to celebrate the colours of cultural diversity. 

“Pakistan stood out as an Islamic country to paint first because of the rich colours, patterns and materials. Once I began researching, each time I read something more and more challenging about the struggle on the land. Disputes between India, Pakistan and China had been in the British mainstream news regularly, along with an increase in racism towards Muslims following Brexit, so I decided to paint a collection of paintings to look at the world from a different lens. There were fears over severe draught if the Indus river treaty became compromised, protests in Kashmir and western tourist shooting their Markhor. A man had been caught posing holding up the horns of the once threatened, screw horn goat, having paid over $100,000 to kill such a beautiful animal – painted in the second image. 
 
The lush pink painting mountainous Himalayan background would typically have the River Indus running through it – instead, in this image, it is just a crackling dry river bed. I wanted the image to be both a cultural celebration and a thought provoking piece – with a fine balance of beauty and awareness.  The traditional patterns on the tiles are intricate and rich but cracking in the draught. The goats coat is thick and the horns speckled in 24 carat gold leaf, yet the animal lacks life in its posture. My paintings typically have great movement in the wildlife and this was very purposeful not to.  
 
In both paintings I wanted to celebrate cultural diversity by enhancing the material background – as if a slightly worn down rug – with a fleshy undertone, and use of the Paisley pattern throughout the painting. This fleshy colouring becomes a vibrant pink and makes up the texture and boldness which dominates the story beautifully.”