An Investigation of Dr. Shahida’s Symbolic Expression and De Kooning’s Abstract Expression

Abstract

Pakistani art underwent many transformations, and contemporary artists have adopted diverse ways of expression. Dr. Shahida Manzoor is a well-recognized artist of Pakistan whose style of work has expressionistic undertones while expressing the divine nature in personal manner. Her work is compared with the American abstract expressionist Willem De Kooning. This research paper explores the applicability of theory of Sublime by Kant in the art works of both painters and explains how imagination and intuition have freedom of growth. Employed methodology is qualitative with a comparative analysis of the styles and works of both the artists to trace the unusual connection between their approaches to subject matter. The outcome of the research suggests that both artists have used nature for the sake of inner self. Both the artists reflect a longing for unobtainability in their work. Hence, it is concluded that theory of sublime and subjectivity in their work relates both the artists with Romanticism but in a novel style.