Sumera Yacoob

I am a Toronto-based Artist and Illustrator. My artwork is known for adding a magical element to the everyday and I seek to add a playful touch to each piece of my work. I love using both detailed line work and bold graphic styles. I am a self taught and life-long artist, my educational and professional background is in Water Resources Engineering which informs many of the contexts behind my work. For now I've taken a pause in my Engineering career to pursue creative dreams in art, entrepreneurship and focus on family. This collection explores repeating patterns found in nature and the interconnectivity of all things. Throughout my studies and work in Water Resources Engineering, I spent hours upon hours looking at topographical and hydrological maps. Something that always struck me was the repeating patterns and forms I often saw rivers take, which mimicked the same branching patterns in branches on trees, in the human body's circulatory system, as well as in the lungs. This spoke to me as a beautiful signature of a divine creator. This particular series of paintings takes those patterns and connects them with the theme of interconnectivity. During this pandemic, one thing that has markedly stood out to me is how connected we in fact all are. A virus that began from possibly a single person, in a distant place, has gone on to effect all our lives and very likely touched every single person on this planet in some way. The chain of transmission of the virus, and each variant has been a physical representation of how connected we all are, with even animals now being impacted. My work is done in both acrylic and inks. My acrylic work is very textured and bold which I think gives it a strong sense of presence as well as the high contrast and distinct colour palettes.