Artist’s Statement

The outer world creates an inner world within. This inner world provides me with vision and creates an ocean of feelings. Our restless, whirling planet Earth and the thousands of stars in the lap of endless space entangle my mind with millions of questions. It makes me wonder about the secrets of life and beyond, connection and disconnection, direct and indirect interactions with nature, and the diversity and dualistic nature of life. 

On the face of our planet, there are some black spots and some bright shines. All these trigger a need to share my thoughts with my readers. My pen and my brush pour out drops of feelings from the ocean of my heart. They provide me with self-purification and the promotion of my values. When I write and paint, I collect pearly shells from the oceans of both my outer and inner worlds. This helps me make sure that my audience hears the unsaid, sees the unseen, feels the unfelt, connects the disconnected and realizes the unrealized. The purpose of art is to foreshadow a greater reality.

After extensive travel, my subject choices have moved in new directions, shifting from personal to universal ideas. Inequality, diversity, human relationships, and natural beauty have a profound effect on my work. I believe that art and life have a strong connection.

 

Bio

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Parvin Shere is an award winning artist, poet, and musician. She has published four coffee table books, including three collections of poetry and one travelogue about her travels to South Africa, Peru, and Swaziland. Her work has received awards and recognition from around the world, admired for its deep expressions of the human condition.

While oil is Parvin’s principle medium, she also works with acrylic, pastels, pencil, and watercolor. Her technique makes vivid use of light and shadow, often creating ethereal dimensions which are both spiritual and emotional.

Parvin's visual art has been shown extensively in Canada, U.S.A., England, France and India. Her work is displayed in many prominent public and private collections internationally. She was one of five nominees honored at the "28th Annual Women of Distinction Awards" in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for her contribution to art, culture and heritage. She has composed and produced her own musical work for UNICEF to help raise funds for underprivileged children globally. She plays multiple instruments, including the sitar, banjo and organ.

She formally developed her talent of paintings at the University of Manitoba, Canada, Fine Arts Program. Her extensive travel throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, triggered in her a need to enlighten her audience about the dualistic nature of this world. The oppressed has had a profound effect on her work.

She currently writes, paints, and lives in New York City.

 


Recognition & Awards: 

  • Multiple book launches across the world, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Russia, Dubai, Pakistan, and India

  • Art exhibitions in nine solo shows and 25 group shows across Canada, U.S., U.K., France, Germany, China, and India

  • Literary work is the sole subject of PhD and M Phil students at Jawahar Lal Nehru University in Delhi, 2018

  • Travelogue “Pearls From The Ocean” has been integrated into high school Urdu courses in Maharashtra, India, 2018

  • Travelogue “Pearls From The Ocean” was a Best-Seller at McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, Canada, 2014

  • Best book of Poetry and Paintings, Urdu Markaz International Book Award, L.A. U.S.A.,2010

  • Best book of Poetry and Art of 2008, Literary Culture Of India, 2009

  • Recipient of plaque for the book Poetry and Art by the Association of Literature, U.K, March 2007

  • Was nominated for Woman Of Distinction Award (Art, Culture, and Heritage), Winnipeg Canada,2004

  • “Best Sketch”, Winnipeg Sketch Club, 81st Juried Competition, Nov. 1998

  • “Best Miniature Painting”, Winnipeg Sketch Club, 79th Juried Competition, Oct. 1996

  • “Best Painting”, Winnipeg Sketch Club, 78th Juried Competition, 1995

  • “Honorable Mention”, Manitoba Society of Artists, 61st Juried Competition and Exhibition, 1993

  • “Best Sketch”, Winnipeg Sketch Club, 76th Juried Competition, Nov. 1993

  • Recipient – Manitoba Artists Council Project Grant, January, 1992

  • Grand Prize, National Competition & Exhibition, India, 1966

  • Painting featured in a Canadian film “Atwood Story” based on the famous author Margaret Atwood

  • Global media coverage across print and TV

Solo Exhibitions:

09/16 MHC Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada
08/05 Rue de l'Atelier, Paris,France
10/99 Portage & District Arts Council, Portage la Prairie, Canada
08/98 Viscount Cultural Council, Manawaka Gallery, Neepawa, Canada
06/98 Wasagaming Community Arts, Joyce Smedegard Gallery, Riding Mt., Canada 
04/97 Gas Station Theater - Juried Show, Winnipeg, Canada 
10/95 Mona Lisa Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada 
05/93 Manitoba Archives Building, Winnipeg, Canada 
11/92 Manitoba Legislative Building – Pool of the Black Star, Winnipeg, Canada 
10/91 Michigan Educational Council Auction, Michigan, USA
08/90 Fargo University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Juried / Group Exhibitions:

06/12 Manitoba society of Artists, Canada
11/10 Manitoba Society of Artists Juried competition, Winnipeg,Canada 
11/07 Piano Nobile Gallery, Centennial Hall, M.S.A show.
07/01 Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London, UK
04/00 - 01/01 Ambassador Gallery Inc., Soho, New York, NY, USA
2000 – 2001 Milagro Art Gallery, Tucson, Arizona, USA 
2000 – 2005 Canadian National Institute for the Blind, National Art Auction, Winnipeg, Canada 
1993 – 2002 Main Access Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada 
1992 – 2005 Manitoba Society of Artists Juried Competition, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada 
2004 UN Silenced Art Exhibition - War, Refugees and Landmine Survivors, Canada 
2003 – 2005 Reaching E- Quality Employment Services, Art auction to raise support for individuals with disabilities, Canada
2006 The Alberta and Manitoba Society of Artists, Travelling Art Exhibition, Canada
2005 – 2006 Arty Gras- Carnaval du Monde, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada
2000 – 2004 Donated Paintings: Auction to Rehabilitation Centre for Children Foundation 
2003 – 2005 Charitable Fundraising Art Auction, Young United Church, Canada 
1993 – 1998 Piano Nobile Gallery, Centennial Concert Hall – Juried Exhibition, Winnipeg, Canada 
1992 – 1998 Winnipeg Sketch Club, 75th – 81st Juried Competition and Exhibition, Winnipeg, Canada 
02/01 Grand Jury, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Art Rental and Sales, Winnipeg, Canada 
1995 – 2006 Spring & Fall Slide Jury, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Art Rental & Sales, Winnipeg, Canada 
02/97 “Art for Healing” – Walker Theater, Winnipeg, Canada 
09/95 Manitoba Artists Network, The Forks, Winnipeg, Canada 
09/04 “Arts on the Avenue”- Juried Exhibition, Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, Winnipeg, Canada 
1992 – 1993 Canadian Artist Representation (CARFAC), Manitoba Exhibition, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada 
1966 National Competition & Exhibition, India  

Corporate / Private Collections & Commissions:  

  • British Library, London, U.K.

  • Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany

  • Cargill Company Ltd, Winnipeg, Canada

  • Michigan Educational Council, Michigan, USA

  • Children’s Rehab Center, Winnipeg, Canada

  • Dr. R.J. Duhamel, Secretary of State, Government of Canada

  • Mr. K Kavanagh, Former President & CEO, Great West Life, Canada

  • Paintings purchased by the CEO of Ernst & Young Canada

  • Books are held in various libraries, universities, and art galleries in Canada & India

Professional Associations: 

  • Visual Arts Shared Exhibition (VASE)

  • Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC)

  • Winnipeg Sketch Club Member

  • Manitoba Society of Artists Member

  • Manitoba Artists Network Member

Education

  • Fine Arts, University of Manitoba, Canada                        

  • Psychology / Philosophy, University of Winnipeg