NAYYAR: an art story

A film by Ayessha Quraishi and Shalalae Jamil
​Documentary - 20min 25sec
2023
​

​Our film traces the artistic career of Nayyar Jamil, who began her journey as a painter and continued to become a teacher, shaping and guiding innumerable students over multiple decades.
Reflections by students and family create a portrait of her studio and practice, both quiet anchors in the Pakistani Art world.

As a visual artist, my work has always been driven by a deep exploration of impermanence—how time shifts our perception, and how lives and stories fade while leaving traces behind. With Nayyar: An Art Story, this exploration takes on personal significance, as it intertwines with my journey as Nayyar’s former student and friend, and as a woman and an artist.

The personal stories shared by Nayyar’s students offer valuable insights into the quiet dedication that often goes unnoticed in the broader narrative of art history. These reflections highlight her lasting impact on those she mentored and underscore the deep connection between an artist and their community. Her studio, both a physical and spiritual space, becomes a canvas in itself—a place where the legacy of her work continues to be shaped by the generations she influenced. At its core, this film is about the unseen moments that define a life dedicated to both creation and education. As co-director, I aimed to preserve the intimacy of this world.

The film offers an alternative to the traditional hero’s journey. Seen through a distinctly feminine lens, Nayyar: An Art Story honours not only Nayyar’s work, but also the broader, often unspoken legacy of women who have quietly shaped the world with grace and resilience. This is a story about art, but it is also a tribute to the power of feminine wisdom and the indelible mark women leave on the world—often unseen, but always felt.

​Ayessha Quraishi

Trailer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P4IdxVWatSiML2GZlc9FbWS-narGd_4M/view?usp=drive_link