b. 1999, Pakistan
Born in 1999 in Karachi, Zaam Arif is largely a self-taught artist who has trained under the
tutelage of his parents, both of whom are painters. Arif’s work is an overture of philosophical
and literary influences, over time evolving provocatively into a deep introspection of the human
experience, which he largely undertakes through a synergy between his characters and the
environment in which they are posited, in his paintings.
Arif has recently held solo exhibitions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Pakistan.
His recent exhibitions include his first solo in India at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi (2024);
and a viewing at the Cabin LA, Los Angeles (2024). He has also participated in group exhibitions
at Platform by David Zwirner, New York (2023); Black Wall Street Gallery, New York (2022); Full
Circle Gallery, Karachi (2021); Anna Molka Gallery, Lahore (2021); and Guerilla Art Shows, New
York (2021).
Arif’s work was exclusively featured in The New Yorker magazine in 2021, making him the
youngest Pakistani artist to be published in the prestigious magazine. In 2021, his work was
selected to be exhibited in the Malamegi Lab Award and was awarded the Malamegi Lab
Research Grant in Italy. He completed a residency at La Brea in Los Angeles in 2023.
The artist lives and works in Houston, Texas.