Saira Sheikh

Saira Sheikh (1975-2017) was an artist who was head of the liberal arts program at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS), where she also taught as an associate professor. She created multiple artworks, most of which were created with Omer Wasim, a visual artist.

Personal life Sheikh was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1975. She was educated at Kinnaird College in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, where she received a B.A. in English literature and psychology in 1995. After receiving the degree she worked as the curator and gallery manager at Rohtas 2, an art gallery in Pakistan. She went on to receive a B.F.A. from the National College of Arts (NCA) and an EdM in art and art education from the Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City.

When creating Mirror Mirror on the Wall, the two intended that it “questions the idea of a maker; where the artist is not making anything, and instead, the viewers become the makers. In fact, this particular work questions all notions of making; the subject, maker, spectator and the gaze. Everything turns upside down”. Other artworks include The Optics of Labor.

After Sheikh's death in 2017 Wasim stated that he would continue to complete projects that the two had planned together.

Awards and honors Sheikh was selected for various awards from her education and was selected to participate in many experimental artist programs.

Group shows “Mirror Mirror on the Wall” at Rohtas 2 in Lahore (2012, performance) “Artist Statement” at CICA Museum in Gimp, South Korea (2016, group)