We recently connected with Farrukh Adnan and have shared our conversation below.
Farrukh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path professionally was during my time working at an advertising agency. I remember sitting at my desk, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of deadlines, pitches, and client demands, and feeling a strange emptiness. It wasn’t that the work was inherently bad or uninspiring, but something about it didn’t resonate with me on a deeper level. I kept asking myself, “Is this really where I see myself? Is this the kind of creative expression I want to dedicate my life to?
The breaking point came during a campaign I was working on. While others were excited about crafting catchy slogans and attention-grabbing visuals, I found myself daydreaming about creating something more personal and meaningful—something that could speak to emotions, histories, and stories in ways that advertisements never could. I realized that I wasn’t drawn to creating for brands; I wanted to create for people, for communities, and for the sake of artistic exploration itself.
That moment was pivotal. It was as if a switch flipped, and I knew deep down that the structured world of advertising wasn’t for me. I wanted to explore a path that allowed me to use my creativity without boundaries, to delve into themes that mattered to me, and to craft work that reflected my voice and vision. From that day forward, I started planning my transition into the art world, and I’ve never looked back since.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Farrukh Adnan, a visual artist whose studio practice is deeply rooted in ancestral connections and archaeology. My work revolves around exploring personal memories, collective history, and cultural depictions, with a strong focus on bridging the gap between past and present. Growing up in Tulamba, a town rich with historical and archaeological significance, I developed an early fascination with the remnants of history—coins, terracotta toys, and ruins—which became my playground and source of inspiration.
My creative journey started from these early memories, where I used to draw lines and shapes on the muddy surfaces of Tulamba’s ruins, unknowingly laying the foundation for my future practice. Over time, this passion evolved into an artistic exploration of how spaces, memory, and historical narratives intersect. I utilize archival research and psycho-geography to dive deeper into these themes, crafting intricate artworks that weave together dots, lines, marks, symbols, and patterns to tell multi-layered stories. These elements form a unique visual language that reflects the rich tapestry of cultural heritage, while also inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between history and the present.
What sets my work apart is the meticulous layering of symbols, excavation plans, and intricate lines, often infused with a spiritual element. By focusing on specific spaces, particularly those in Tulamba, my art emphasizes their historical significance and evokes a sense of connection to the past. Each piece becomes a bridge—linking the forgotten stories of a space to the contemporary world, creating a dialogue about the importance of context, memory, and preservation.
Through my work, I aim to solve a broader cultural challenge: reconnecting people to their roots and inspiring a deeper understanding of the spaces we inhabit. Whether it’s through exhibitions, workshops, or collaborative projects, my goal is to spark conversations about the narratives that shape our identities and how we relate to the world around us.
I’m most proud of how my art serves as a medium for preserving and celebrating cultural heritage while exploring innovative ways of storytelling. For anyone engaging with my work, I hope they see it not just as an artistic expression, but as an invitation to reflect on their own connections to memory, history, and space.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to create a bridge between the past and the present, to connect people with the layers of memory, history, and identity that define who we are. My studio practice is deeply rooted in exploring the ancestral connections and archaeological narratives of my hometown, Tulamba, and through this work, I’ve experienced the profound impact art can have.
What makes this journey so fulfilling is witnessing how my art sparks conversations and encourages others to reflect on their own connections to history and place. When someone engages with my work—whether it’s through the intricate lines and symbols representing excavation plans or the abstract patterns that evoke layers of memory—I see a moment of recognition, a realization that history isn’t just something distant or forgotten but something that shapes and resonates with us today.
The act of creating itself is also incredibly rewarding. It’s in the process of layering lines, marks, and symbols, of meticulously weaving together narratives through my art, that I feel a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Each piece is a journey—a way to explore and share stories that may otherwise fade into obscurity.
Ultimately, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to foster connections: between people and their heritage, between the tangible and intangible, and between the past and the present. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to see the value in their own histories and to appreciate the richness of our collective cultural memory.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One story that truly illustrates my resilience is tied to my work in Tulamba, my hometown, which has always been central to my artistic journey. Growing up, the ruins of Tulamba were more than just remnants of the past—they were my playground, my inspiration, and my connection to history. However, pursuing this path of uncovering and representing Tulamba’s layered narratives wasn’t without its challenges.
There was a time when my efforts to document the ruins and create artworks based on Tulamba’s heritage were met with skepticism. People questioned the significance of preserving a site that seemed forgotten and undervalued. At one point, I even faced resistance from local authorities who saw no practical purpose in supporting my endeavors. It was disheartening, but it only strengthened my resolve.
What kept me going was my belief that these spaces held stories that deserved to be told. I began conducting archival research on my own, traveling to collect historical records, photographs, and oral histories from elders in the community. Working in the field often involved physically exhausting days spent mapping ruins, sketching, and collecting relics in harsh conditions. But each discovery—a faded inscription, a fragment of pottery—fueled my passion and reinforced my belief in the importance of preserving Tulamba’s legacy.
One breakthrough moment came when I incorporated these findings into a series of artworks that combined intricate layers of symbols, excavation plans, and abstract representations of memory and space. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the very community that once doubted the value of my work began to see its significance. My art became a bridge between the past and the present, sparking conversations about heritage and identity that transcended cultural and geographical boundaries.
Through this journey, I learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges; it’s about staying true to your purpose, even when the path is uncertain. Tulamba taught me that the most meaningful work often arises from adversity, and the connections we forge—both to our past and to others—are what give us strength to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farrukhaddnan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farrukh.adnan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrukhadnan/
Image Credits
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