Khadija Arif
Riyadh
Summary
Art educator and designer with a Master of Fine Arts and over 5 years of experience in creative teaching, hands-on practice, and curatorial projects. I integrate traditional craft elements—such as embroidery and surface work—with contemporary art and design, creating culturally grounded and innovative experiences. As an educator, I’ve taught visual arts to children, teens, and adults through schools, workshops, and art programs, including mentoring at Hafez Projects. My work has been exhibited at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and featured in Canvas Magazine and Arab News. Passionate about inspiring creativity, promoting cultural dialogue, and encouraging experimentation through art and design education.Skilled in blending traditional techniques with contemporary methods,
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Textile Artist
War and Image Challenge (Art Project)
08.2024 - Current
- Developed and led an ongoing textile art project exploring themes of war, trauma, and healing through the use of fabric manipulation, embroidery, and dyeing techniques
- Designed and conceptualized art pieces symbolizing the physical and emotional scars of war, using fabric manipulation to evoke imagery of bullet wounds, wounds from conflict, and the remnants of survival
- Encouraged collaboration and peer feedback, fostering a community of artists working within the themes of war, healing, and memory
- Developed 3 art pieces to achieve the visual of concept
Breakdown Textile Artist
Al Hisn Studio
11.2024 - 05.2025
- Mentored junior textile artists, providing guidance on design principles and technical skills.
- Designed costumes for theatrical productions using carefully chosen fabrics that complemented the overall aesthetic of each show.
- Enhanced costume designs by incorporating historical accuracy and cultural relevance into each project.
- Organized samples according to daily shooting schedule.
Textile Artist Mentor
Hafez Projects
12.2023 - 10.2024
- Provided expert mentorship to emerging textile artists, helping them develop both their technical and conceptual skills in fabric manipulation, embroidery, weaving, dyeing, and surface design
- Designed and delivered tailored workshops on various textile art techniques, including hand-weaving, screen printing, felting, natural dyeing, Silk printing
- Offered personalized guidance on project development, helping mentees refine their ideas, select materials, and create cohesive bodies of work
- Conducted one-on-one critiques to provide constructive feedback on design, composition, and craftsmanship, fostering artistic growth
- Guided mentees in understanding the intersections of textile art with other disciplines, encouraging interdisciplinary experimentation (e.g., sculpture, fashion, or installation)
- Created a nurturing, creative space that encouraged risk-taking, artistic expression, and exploration of new materials and techniques
- Fostered an environment of critical thinking and problem-solving, helping mentees overcome creative blocks and technical challenges
- Mentored 20 emerging textile artists, with 9 mentees participating in prestigious textile art exhibitions
- Helped mentees explore sustainable and ethical practices in textile arts, leading to 3 projects focused on eco-friendly materials and practices
- Fostered long-term relationships with mentees, many of whom have gone on to build strong careers in textile art
Freelance Textile Artist
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
12.2023 - 05.2024
- Curated and experimented with a variety of natural and synthetic fibers to achieve the desired aesthetic, texture, and durability for each collection
- Conducted in-depth research into traditional textile techniques and incorporated cultural influences while pushing boundaries in contemporary design
- Developed prototypes of textile pieces, experimenting with new methods to create modern interpretations of age-old techniques
- Worked closely with product developers and manufacturers to ensure seamless integration of hand-crafted elements into exclusive collections
- Successfully launched a collection that merges traditional techniques like hand-weaving and batik with digital printing methods, resulting in a unique line that gained attention
- Consistently received positive feedback from clients and collaborators for creating textiles that are visually captivating, highly functional, and culturally rich
Freelance Textile Designer
Sun Culture
06.2023 - 12.2023
- Create original illustrations and textile patterns tailored for resort wear collections
- Develop and execute detailed designs, including prints, embroidery, and embellishments, aligning with brand vision and seasonal trends
- Conduct research on trends, fabrics, colors, and techniques to inspire innovative design concepts
- Successfully designed 10 resort wear collections featuring unique prints, patterns, and embellishments, leading to a 30% increase in client sales
- Developed a signature embroidery style that was featured in Hia fashion magazines, enhancing brand recognition
Residency
Ministry of Culture
12.2022 - 02.2023
Lecturer
University of Punjab
03.2022 - 12.2022
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.
- Increased student interest by incorporating real-world examples into lessons and connecting material to relevant experiences.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
Lecturer
Institute of Art and Culture
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.
Education
Masters of Fine Arts - Textile Design
University of The Punjab
07-2021
Bachelor of Design - Textile Design
National College of Business Administration And Economics
10-2019
Diploma in Textile Design -
University of The Punjab
12-2014
Skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Color theory
- Fabric dyeing
- Photoshoot
- Fabric printing
- Embroidery
Workshop Experience
- Natural Dye Workshop, Islamic Biennale, KSA, 2023
- Digital Textile Workshop, Superior University, Pakistan, 2020
- Basic Weaving Workshop, STEPS College, Pakistan, 2019
- Rivers of Life, British Arts Council, Pakistan, 2015
Awards
- Gold Medalist in MFA Textile, PU, Pakistan
- Dean's Honor Roll Award in MFA Textile, PU, Pakistan
- Distinction in Bachelor of Design, NCA, Pakistan
- Jury member in textile design exhibition, Superior University, Pakistan
Publications
- Awareness Campaign of Trypophobia, AFAQ Pakistan, 2021
- Hool, Intermix catalog, 2023
- Canvas Magazine, 2023
- Arab News, 2023
Exhibitions
- Fiber Art Exhibition, Pak, 2022, Anna Molka Gallery
- Fiber Art Exhibition, Pak, 2021, University of Punjab
- Artsy New York, 2020, Online Display
- 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Textiles, Pakistan, 2019
- Al Hamra Arts Council, Pak, 2019, solo
Timeline
Breakdown Textile Artist
Al Hisn Studio
11.2024 - 05.2025
Freelance Textile Artist
War and Image Challenge (Art Project)
08.2024 - Current
Textile Artist Mentor
Hafez Projects
12.2023 - 10.2024
Freelance Textile Artist
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
12.2023 - 05.2024
Freelance Textile Designer
Sun Culture
06.2023 - 12.2023
Residency
Ministry of Culture
12.2022 - 02.2023
Lecturer
University of Punjab
03.2022 - 12.2022
Lecturer
Institute of Art and Culture
06.2021 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Design - Textile Design
National College of Business Administration And Economics
Masters of Fine Arts - Textile Design
University of The Punjab
Diploma in Textile Design -
University of The Punjab
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