AWARD WINNING CRYSTAL ARTIST SARA SHAKEEL
We exclusively speak to Sara Shakeel, who is known for her stunning crystal artwork. She talks to HELLO! about her life before fame, exciting collaborations and more...
Hi Sara! We’re so glad to finally have this conversation with you. Could you please tell us a little about yourself, your education and upbringing?
Thank you so much for reaching out and interviewing me. So before 2016, I was a regular Pakistani girl, big dreams but knew things are not easy, as it seems. I was training to be a dentist, unfortunately I couldn’t make it, after failing my final year almost two years in a row, because I questioned the integrity of the institution and the ‘head’ of the college was not used to being questioned (laughs). I got everyone pissed off and they made sure I didn’t pass my exam and have a miserable life. Little did they know they were creating a path for me that was one in a million. (Laughs). So thank you for failing me although I still don’t approve of what they did, but I am in such a better place now.
You’re known for your visually appealing crystal art. Why crystal from all mediums and how did you come about this concept?
Crystals have been a part of my life ever since I’ve opened my eyes. My grandmother used to collect Swarovski crystals back in the day, and keep them in her drawing room. I remember I used to sit there and stare at them for hours, loving how every movement of mine created a different visual. I was really young, and maybe it stayed in my conscious for a very long time, and after many, many years coming across another crystal pattern, being a collage
artist I played around with it, and ended up creating sparkling art! It was merely one of the best accidents I had ever come across.
In hopes of promoting body positivity and empowerment you posted a picture of stretch marks with your trademark crystal work— and that was the beginning of your fame as that image went viral! How did you handle all the love pouring in from around the world?
Before stretch marks I had been viral due to my crystal lipsticks and crystal artworks. I had risen up as an artist in one night, and the love pouring in from glitter stretch marks was truly overwhelming. I can proudly say my crowd is from all around the world, my work is not defined by borders or culture. Its just the pure message behind it that gets across people from every walks of life, and I think I couldn’t have asked for more.
We know you’ve studied dentistry before dropping out to dive in to your true passion that is art. Coming from a desi household how did your parents react to that?
(Laughs) I loved it! It was tough, not an easy task, I still go back to those difficult times of my life, and question myself, how did I possibly get through it? Being 26, not married, my parents spent a fortune on my studies, and at the end I dropped out, that too in my final year. It would be a lie to say my parents were supportive. But they were very, very confused. Only I knew why I took this decision. I stood by my morals, my integrity and knew at the end of the day I have to face God, I took my stand, and deep down my parents knew I was right. God has been my strength through all these times. I remember vividly telling God, ‘I can’t explain myself why I left dentistry again and again. Do something for me that gives them their answer and I don’t have to feel bad about it.’ I guess God listened, and within a few months of me venturing into art, I never had to ever explain myself again, or look back.
How long does it take you to work your magic and finish a piece? Walk us through the process.
It used to take me days, but they say practice makes you perfect, now it takes me a few hours. And I guess after a few years, a few minutes maybe.
Any exciting collaborations or projects we need to look out for in the future?
Oh yes! I won’t be able to tell you what exactly but coming up with designs for a very cool brand of sunglasses.
Your favourite project till date and why? Tell us a little about it.
All of them, but the one that I enjoyed the most was when I made an album cover for Chance the Rapper. And also creatively directing his pop-up store. The amount of creative freedom given was so overwhelming along with working with such an amazing celebrity like Chance was a dream come true.
‘Many, many years coming across another crystal pattern, being a collage artist I played around with it, and ended up creating sparkling art. It was merely one of the best accidents I had ever come across’
Congratulations on your little bundle of joy Ayra! How do you juggle motherhood now that you’re a new mom and work?
Thank you so much! I was told its tough, and hard to manage with work, which I agree it must be, for those who take it as a burden. I absolutely love motherhood and enjoying every little bit of it. Being hands-on with her is something I have chosen myself, and want it to be that way. I want to absorb every little move of hers. Work comes and goes, but baby Ayra will one day grow up and I don’t ever want to say I missed her cuteness. (Laughs)
The internet has its ways of fabricating one’s hard work and you experienced this first-hand as your artwork was stolen. How did you get through this and how do you deal with hate and negativity?
Oh boy! I have seen a lot when it comes to producing rip-offs and them pretending to be the ‘original crystal artists’. At first it really made me unhappy. It took my happiness and a lot of my peace. But with time and understanding I’ve realized I cannot stop them, and their negativity was really getting to my work and me. It took me a while to understand how this works, but now I am in a really good place, I see many huge brands/ magazines sharing my work and tagging the fake artists, it’s not my loss, its theirs, because I see them and I will remember.
Will you be making the move from digital to physical pieces?
I actually did, currently I have an ongoing exhibition with Mercedes Benz in Munich, Germany. I have used projection mapping to put my digital crystals on a Mercedes Benz, giving it an illusion that its sparkling, without having actual crystals on them.
Any message you’d want to give to your audience and followers here in Pakistan?
Lets not judge! Lets not give our opinions on matters that we are not familiar with. Utilize our time and energy on fixing problems of our country, and this world. Lets not be forgotten, and be remembered for the rest of our lives. After moving from Islamabad to London, I’ve realized we as a country, as a nation have to reconsider out ambitions and try to fix ourselves. The world will only respect us if we start respecting our capabilities and ourselves.
INTERVIEW: SAFA ADNAN
PHOTOS: COURTESY SARA SHAKEEL