An Interview With Sara Shakeel, The Viral Instagram Artist Adding Sparkle To The World

You might follow, or have seen some of her sparkly works dotted around instagram. Sara Shakeel has created a name for herself with upgraded glitter collages.

With over a million followers on instagram, Sara Shakeel’s viral artworks aren’t just a hit on the interwebs, but have also graced the covers of various fashion magazines, and collaborated with brands such as La Mer and Swarovski, counting fans such as top model Coco Rocha, who also owns pieces of her artwork. 

The Pakistani dentist-turned-artist is known for conveying emotions through her use of shiny, bright, alluring crystals. Ahead, we speak to the Pakistani woman known for wielding Swarovski crystals like no other.

You were studying to become a dentist before becoming an artist, how did that come about? Where did you start your personal journey into the art world?

I was a dentist in the making. After having failed my last year 16 times (two consecutive years), I ended up becoming a collage artist, specializing in crystals. I completely ignored my dental training. Today, I have a business and I create art for the whole world.

It all started at home, on my phone, when my laptop broke down just before the results of my dental exams were published. All I knew about collage and the art of collage was to combine different images and create a new one to tell a story. It took me from one work to another, and I shared on Instagram. I did not expect such a postiive reaction from the art world!

What does creativity mean to you?

I came across a wise saying that says, "Creativity is intelligence that has fun" and I think that's exactly what it is about.

Let's talk about your artistic style. Can you explain your love for crystals?

The Swarovski crystals in particular are a brand that I knew before I even knew anything else. My grandmother had a huge collection of jewellery and Swarovski crystals. The reflection and refraction of light have always caught my attention. This memory has remained with me since I was a child, and perhaps without knowing it, from one work of art to another, I accidentally came across a pattern of Swarovski crystal and mixed it with ordinary objects . From there,creating images and stories through crystals became my style and my signature.

Tell us about your studio, what kind of place is it?

I'm a little embarrassed to say it, but my house is my studio. Now that I am married, I try to clean every time I make a work and turn my room into a studio. At first I started as a digital artist, which is really no problem. All I needed was my laptop and my notebook. But now that I've entered the world of physical art and sculpture, it's gotten pretty messy. It's not my fault! As soon as I get inspired, I don't waste time and I start working straight away, wherever I am.

Is there anything that inspires you the most in your work?

God! Whenever I set my eyes on something, from a human creation to a creation created by God, I appreciate the creator for giving us that strength to do whatever we think possible. Whenever I lack inspiration, this thought of the most powerful creature on earth gives me all the inspiration I need.

Instagram works great for you when it comes to promoting your art and your message. How do you see this?

After God, I owe my success to Instagram for allowing me to present my work, for allowing me to connect with people of similar thoughts and ideas.

Have you already planned exhibitions?

Ye ! I hope to have more projects after this period we are going through. I have a lot of hopes set up for the end of the year.

@sarashakeel