Javaria Ahmad
Ceramic Art
Artist Statement
objects has influenced my life and my work. The everyday labor of homemaking comes
with its own joy and pain. The narrative of my work examines the submissiveness of
women subjugated to their everyday routines in traditional Pakistani culture. As a
woman who grew up within Pakistan’s belief system and is currently living in America, I
have been through a substantial number of bilingual and multicultural experiences.
Having lived in two contrasting cultures is an ethnographic research project for me. This
research gives me an opportunity to observe significant commonalities and differences
within both cultures, such as the usage of textiles within the home, gender roles, food or
eating habits, etc. Through examining both cultures simultaneously from the inside and
outside, I’m able to get a strong sense of place and cultural identity. Through my work in
ceramics, I explore the ambivalent relationship of everyday utilitarian objects with
traditional cultural practices and stereotypical beliefs that I observe in my surroundings.
![Tiny irons of different colors arranged in a circle. A word is spelled out in the middle.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_001-660x468.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // MASHQ (a practice) // Porcelain Casting Slip, Plaster Mold // 6’ x 6’ x 6”
![Ceramic fabric on a metal stand.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_002-660x439.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // You are more than a story I // Porcelain // 15.5” x 9” x 2”
![A golden iron.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_003-660x439.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // You are more than a story II // Porcelain Casting Slip, Gold Lustre Glaze // 2.5” x 2” x 1.5”
![Red fabric-like sculpture stacked on top of each other on a stand.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_004-660x880.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // The Weight of Wait // Porcelain Clay, Mason Stains, Underglaze, Glaze, Iron Armature, Iron Rod // 60” x 18” x 11”
![Small houses strung together in a line.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_005-660x992.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Wazifa (a spiritual remedy) // Porcelain, Fishing Wire, Thread / 12’
![Brown fabric piece with text made out of buttons.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_007-660x439.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Stereotypical // Cashmere Shawl, Ceramic Beads, Red Thread // 78” x 36”
![A pile of ceramic fabric.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_009-660x495.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Fragments I // Porcelain Clay, Mason Stain // 10” x 8” x 7”
![Exhibition documentation.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_018-660x439.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Image of Thesis Show I
![Exhibition documentation.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_019-660x439.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Image of Thesis Show II
![Exhibition documentation.](_images/ahmad_javaria_2023_020-660x495.jpg)
Javaria Ahmad // Image of Thesis Show III