Metaalia Jewelry

My Pakistani parents lived in the UK and Central America before settling in Atlanta, GA almost 35 years ago. Their collection of pottery, baskets, and textiles from the places we'd traveled decorated every room in my childhood home. As a child, I remember being absorbed in the ornate, floral patterns on Indian scarves and tracing the crisp, geometric maze of black pigment on Panamanian earthenware.

My work seeks to bridge the aesthetic gap between these two styles and answer questions about my own identity as a Pakistani-American, artist, and mother. When it comes to my style, I strive towards balance and movement in asymmetrical forms. The strength of each piece lies in its design and careful fabrication, all by my own hand. My work begins in my sketchbook.

I complete several drafts of an idea until I'm satisfied with the result. In addition to designing and fabricating, I'm happy to be helping others involved in this craft. I work part-time assisting talented Atlanta jewelry designer, Lainey Papageorge and teach beginning to intermediate metalsmithing at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.