Shumaiya Khan (b. 1990, UK) is an artist and writer based in London. Raised in a British Bengali family in Bradford, West Yorkshire, she pursued a BA in Design at Goldsmiths, University of London, before fully resuming her artistic practice in April 2020. Currently undertaking an MA in Fine Art at City & Guilds London School of Art (from September 2024), her work explores themes of spirituality, mythology, and feminine power. Drawing from Jungian psychology, ceremonies, and mystical traditions, she weaves narratives of mythical queens and goddesses into her own personal journey, reflecting on identity, lineage, and the socio-political landscape she inhabits.

Her paintings, sculptures, and films serve as portals into realms of the unknown, underworld, and ascension. Deeply influenced by Christian, Greek, and non-Judeo-Christian mythologies, she examines the tension between her Sufi mystic faith and the patriarchal structures embedded in Western society. These influences shape her approach to painting—the intensity of her brushwork, her use of salt and minerals, and the way she engages with texture to create visceral, grounded compositions. She embraces an evolving, organic process, working with loose, unstretched canvases that challenge traditional formats and demand an immersive, confrontational experience from the viewer. Her sculptures, often made from challenging or even toxic materials like lead, reflect themes of fairytales, religious symbolism, and political ideology.

Khan’s practice is rooted in the natural world, drawing inspiration from cosmic weather, geological shifts, and dense forests. Her deep, layered palettes—dominated by dark reds, blues, and greens—evoke intensity, intimacy, and defiance, confronting historical biases against raw female expression. Once dismissed as “angry girl paintings,” her works now stand as unapologetic statements of emotion, resilience, and power. With a growing base of collectors spanning the U.S., South America, and Australia, her work continues to push boundaries, inviting audiences to step into spaces of transformation and self-reflection.