Science, Spirituality, and Art: A South Asian Vision By Siraj Khan and Beena Sarwar Boston, MA   Karachi-based artist-architect Sameeta Ahmed invokes millennial scientific and spiritual wisdom of Southasia* and fuses it in her work to bring out the region’s celebrated universal mysticism. Ahead of International Women’s Day, she curated a special exhibition of visual art, performances and film screenings titled ‘ReEmergence’ ( ارتقا ء نو or Iritqa-e-nau) at The Second Floor Gallery in Karachi. Popularly known as T2F, the space is remembered for its late founder, the courageous feisty and creative Sabeen Mahmud,  shot dead in April 2015  at just over 40 years old. Ahmed, who knew Sabeen personally and saw her “build up T2F”, started the opening of the show with a remembrance about the late activist whose vision for peace she shares. On a recent visit to the US Ahmed had shared her artistic journey at various discussions around the Boston area, showing slides with her work featuring painted collages. She also presented her historical conservation work, at the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Drawing upon Buddhist and Sufi philosophies and their essential universal view of existence with equal ease, she says she owes her pluralist vision to the syncretism of her parents, particularly her mother. Music and art were an integral part of their lives, but she felt socially pressured to be steered into the more conventional field of architecture. As an artist, her media range from mixed media painted collages to abstract sculptures, taking up ideas like socio-political upheavals, personal rebirth and expressions about the contemporary world, Sufi poetry to science and philosophy. Her artwork explores diverse themes and lived experiences which emphasize that identity is neither stagnant nor singular. It shifts, as a result of various catalysts, including pandemic isolation, bodily changes, and pressure to define oneself. Each tribulation defines and takes these transformative experiences to make something new. Shared ideas Ahmed’s underlying approach to her work seems to stem from the ancient wisdoms of Southasia. For instance, she says, "The Buddha shared his revelations in the local language. So did the Sufis." She stresses upon their shared ideas such as ‘look inwards’, ‘be the change’ and practice humility. Another common point is the recognition that human beings are capable of greatness as well as evil. These philosophies resonate with the current climate crisis and connect with the real issues we face today, she says. This is what led her to work artistically through her EarthWaterNetwork with the respected non-government organization Shehri-CBE in Karachi, focusing on climate change. "The Paris Accord showed that the world's powers hold capitalism in higher regard than the welfare of the people," she comments, pointing out that climate change is real for Pakistan, the world's fifth most affected country by the crisis. Rather than looking to the West for solutions, Ahmed believes that there is plenty of ancient wisdom of our own land to guide us. She gives the example of one of the Buddha's basic philosophies, to weigh if your actions are harming someone else: Do no harm. And "Pakistan is the land of Buddha," she says, referring to the fact that Buddhism spread from Harappa in the country's north-west. Anyone travelling around Pakistan will see Buddhist stupas and Sufi shrines all over -- multi-faith places of solace that welcome all, Hindus, Muslims, women, men, and others, notes Ahmed. In today's world of conflict, she asks how it's possible to create - and keep - peace? We may not have the answers but it's important to keep asking the questions. After several years of practice, she began to move more into the creative visual arts space. Here, her work disrupts societal norms, taking up boldly confrontational and challenging topics through the lens of change. Are science and art compatible? What if you throw poetry and calligraphy into the mix? Her art has taken differing approaches to move forward. Whether contemplating the connection between body and soul, on people and fragments of lost identity, or shedding younger skin, momentum is critical. Conservation Pushing back against stagnation, Ahmed’s art depicts her responses to varying catalysts in her life. There are challenges while disrupting societal norms. Facing confrontational situations, she chooses to stay true to herself, honoring her unwavering sense of self in a world which seems to have turned upside down. She also navigates the understanding of her own individuality, forging a unique identity between contrasting realities living simultaneously in the past and present. Examining the world through her own looking glass to a multiplicity of new possibilities, she pulls viewers into a space where they can examine the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete - the unconventional. Her architect-visual artist-poet persona leads to a space that brings together science and spirituality. Some of her intense artwork features expressive brush strokes painted over prints of human subjects, photographed with calligraphic Sufi sayings and poetry projected on them. The multiple layers make the work almost abstract, the calligraphy hard to read. She has also worked as an architect on the conservation of Chinar Mosque and Shamozai Hujra. The former included transforming an old mosque into a community center, in 2021-2022, which ended up increasing the mosque attendance. The feedback from locals has been largely positive. Commissioned by the Swat Participatory Council (SPC) and sponsored by Prince Claus Fund of The Netherlands, the project gave residents, including women, a neutral space to meet casually, as well as for community events. "The only other person I've seen with this vision is maybe Kamil Mumtaz," observes eminent Boston-based conservation architect Masood Khan, referring to the groundbreaking work of the Lahore-based Kamil Khan Mumtaz. One of Pakistan’s most celebrated architects, Mumtaz’s environment-friendly philosophy draws upon traditional practices and also resonates with Sufism. His work features in a recently published book, ‘The Time of Building: Kamil Khan Mumtaz and Architecture in Pakistan’ (Folio Books, Lahore, 2024). Khan sees Sameeta Ahmed almost like a disciple of Mumtaz, though on "a different journey." In the end, it's all connected. Work that is rooted in the past but looking forward and embracing change, will always resonate beyond borders. [Siraj Khan  (Khansaheb2@aol.com)  is a non-profit consultant and Beena Sarwar ( beena@sapannews.com ) is a journalist. Both born in Karachi, they are currently based in the Boston area and share a passion for Southasia peace and cultural activism.] This is a Sapan News syndicated feature. Note on Southasia as one word: Following the lead of   Himal Southasian , Sapan News Network uses ‘Southasia’ as one word, “seeking to restore some of the historical unity of our common living space, without wishing any violence on the existing nation states”.