Dialogue with a Man, 2013
From rhinos with boners, dead heads, and weeing babies and monkeys, VC interviews emerging Pakistani artist Sana Khan. While drinking funky cocktails in a vintage jazz bar in Dalston, Khan reveals her somewhat twisted perspectives on life, which she exposes through the layered lenses of her camera.
Ok Sana, let’s get straight into it. Is that a real dead head in ‘Dialogue with a Man’
Yes. I am extremely afraid of death and deal heavily with this idea in my work. Due to the fact that I wanted to embrace and explore my fear, I decided to get a job at a morgue. I already had the idea of acquiring the head for a piece and decided to kill two birds with one stone by working at the morgue. I thought that if I worked hard enough, proving my loyalty and respect for the company, they would let me borrow a dead head for the purposes of my work, with intentions to give it back! And after three months- I was right! I got to work immediately.
How long have you been in London and how did you start working in the realm of photography?
I have been working in London for three years now. I have always been aroused by painting, sculpture and many other mediums so I do not like to box myself into a slim category of photography.
Can you describe your process?
I like to think of it as building a set. When I conjure an idea I work to perfectly recapture this moment. This of course takes time and proper attainment of all of the intrinsic elements. I have to do immense research of when, where, and how to acquire the objects I will need in order to construct the set which perfectly matches my internal and initial ideas.
What does the title of your upcoming show ‘Ghungroos’ at 99 Mount Street in London’s Chelsea district refer to?
The title ‘Ghungroos’ refers to the small golden bells strapped to the ankles of traditional Indian dancers. In the narrative of this work, they are heard from a distance. The sound of tinkling bells creates a tantalizing image of the approach of a loved one, a herald of what is to come. Ghungroos are represented both as objects and as the memory of a sound – the subtle echo of a chaotic past and a personal memoir of loss and longing. The obsession with bells started with coming and going of a man I adored. He wore shoes that made squeaky sounds against the floors when he came to visit me in my art studio. My fascination with the man grew where I became so entranced by this thought of him that I started to await the sound daily. It evoked feelings of joy for that mystical presence arriving. So for me, the bells, or the ghungaroos, seemed like the most accurate object best suited to express the sound as I would hear it. I decided to name the show after this because the way sound of the bells (or squeaky shoes) made me feel is very synonymous behind the creation process and execution of my works. My ideas tend to consume me until I am finally satisfied with that mystical presence of the mental conjured image arriving into full physical, tangible form. When my projects are complete- I become free. It is all about the WAIT! But, oh what a great feeling when what you are waiting for finally arrives!
The Passerby, 2013
Draped in Goth, 2013
In Hours of Separation, 2013
Are those black babies twisted amongst the tree branches?
Yes. Er, well, they are actually white but I painted them all with black eye shadow. Don’t worry though! No babies were harmed during the shoot and all of the mothers were present. One even could not stop themselves from laughing because the baby started to wee on itself during the shoot- the baby was laughing too! Haha! Man, that was a crazy one!
Any other cool stories while building past sets?
While shooting for ‘Until the Quiet Comes’ one of the Rhino’s ended up getting a boner during the shoot. I simultaneously had to attempt to control an uncontrollable jumping monkey from peeing on my equipment!
Until the quiet comes, 2013
How did you get involved with 99 Mount Street?
I used to be represented by Debut Contemporary and every month they have these really cool, eclectic art dinners where chosen artists, gallery owners, PR, and bloggers are invited to connect over- well- art and dinner. Two inspiring things! Irena, the owner of 99 Mount Street was present at this particular dinner and we hit it off immediately. I showed her some of my work via my I-PHONE and she arranged an afternoon for us to talk about putting together an exhibition. I think she really admired my work, and as I love her gallery- we decided to collaborate.
What do you hope people will walk away with from the show?
These photographs are almost like diary entries for me. They are my honest interpretations of how I see the world. Some people have said my work is like a fantasy. But it is not a fantasy for me- what I execute in my portraits are my reality! So, I hope that people walk away thinking- ‘man, maybe I should start trying to look at things through a different lens’ or equally, I hope they just think it is cool!
What is next for you?
I am well aware that a true artistic voice is always developing and in this respect, I just want to create more work! Sometimes I feel like running towards the mountains and hiding out in nature for a bit, so I am able to create in peace. But, I love big cities and as they ironically tend to keep me sane-at the moment I am applying to residencies in berlin, Amsterdam, and New York. Do you know of any cool residencies? There are so many to look out for!
Pinyada, 2013
From painting babies with black eyeshadow to working in a morgue to get a dead head- it is clear that Khan, will go to any extent to incorporate the right objects to make her photos astonishing. Sana will be present at the opening, armed and ready with more of her fantastically eerie stories to share!
Domestic Theatre, 2013
More about Sana Khan:Born in Pakistan in 1987 Sana Khan gained her artistic training at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, Pakistan where she was taught by some of the greatest Pakistani artists such as Salima Hashmi, Malcolm Hutcheson and Rashid Rana. In 2010 she worked on a commissioned surreal portrait for Rashid Rana. She has completed BA in Photography at University of Westminster, London and previously exhibited at Alhamra National Art Gallery Lahore, Pakistan; Debut Contemporary, London; Herbert Gallery & Museum, Coventry; Lumen art prize, 2013; Noorderlicht Photography Festival 2012 and has been recently added to the permanent collection of Alhamra National Art Gallery Lahore, Pakistan. She currently lives in London.
Naked Chicken, 2013
Visit Sana Khan’s website:www.sammykhan.com
To know more about 99 Mount Street:99mountstreet.com
To know more about debut contemporary’s art dinners: www.debutcontemporary.com
To see the quirky jazz bar we were in the night of the interview: www.timeout.com
For a link to great residency opportunities: www.resartis.org
All images courtesy of: Sana Khan
