Sajid Wajid Shaikh ^©  

(Mumbai, 1989)

Guided by a set of principles rooted in organic intuition, his practice takes on diverse forms, exploring a wide range of themes and mediums. Central to his practice is drawing, which he considers a source of cathartic and sensory responses to his surroundings. The resulting artworks often embrace abstract, distorted, and occasionally grotesque forms. These unfiltered explorations draw inspiration from the concept of psychic automatism, tapping into the inner reflections of the subconscious.

Shaikh’s works have been shown at numerous exhibitions and public art projects. Most recently his works were exhibited at Ephemeroptera: Time After Time at Tarq x Gallery XXL, 2023; OUTSIDERS at Gallery XXL, 2023; Mumbai Urban Art Festival, 2022; Future Proche at APRE Art House x The Upside Space, 2022; Masala Movement on Indernet, 2021; Tasawwur at Art + Charlie, 2020; LUX at Method Art Space, 2019; and at the Kona Art Project in 2019. Between 2019 and 2020, Shaikh was the recipient of two residencies, the Facebook Artist in Residency Program and at the Harkat Lab, supported by the Gujral Foundation. While the artist’s works are part of multiple private collections, his films have been screened both in India and internationally.

The works presented here are part of a series of spontaneous and created through what the artist terms as ‘psychic automatism,’ that confront Sajid Wajid Shaikh’s innermost fears and anxieties. These expressionistic sketches leap from reality into the unknown, lacking a focal point. They possess a transcendent quality, immersing viewers in a fluid labyrinth of swirling emotions. The abstract lines and shapes evoke unease and tension, reflecting the fragmented nature of fear. Yet, amidst the chaos, liberation emerges. Through these works, the artist transmutes his inner struggles into powerful expressions, inviting viewers to explore the depths of the human psyche and embrace the unknown.