Farzana Ahmad
I am a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Sydney, Australia. My work is inspired by nature and the happenings in the world around me. I am interested in capturing and conveying the movement of my subjects in a realistic style and also like expressing myself abstractly. I hold a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design degree. I usually allow my subjects to dictate the media and, while I enjoy creating in watercolour, oils, ceramics and print media, my favourite mode of expression is acrylic on canvas. I am sensitive to the social, political, cultural and environmental issues affecting the world in my time and it is often reflected in my work.
____________________________
-
Acrylic on wood
19.5cm x 25.5cm x 6cm
-
This is no. 2 of my 12 painting abstract series “Release”, exploring personal feelings using non-representative visual language to express emotions. Sides and back are painted black.
-
Acrylic on canvas
60cm x 50cm x 2.5cm
-
Acrylic on canvas
25cm x 25cm x 3cm
-
During a recent stroll on the beach I was struck by the majesty of these rocks and the phrase, 'rocks have memory', suddenly came to mind. While it is meant to refer to geological memory, I wondered if it could also mean memory of human encounters stretching millions of years in the past. Imagine those silent sentinels bearing witness to secrets of men long gone. Of lovers, warriors and adventurers past, present and those in the making. If rocks could only talk, I'd be fascinated to know what stories they would tell.
This artwork is a part of a triptych which can be purchased on its own or paired with the others listed as well.
-
Acrylic on canvas
25cm x 25cm x 3cm
-
During a recent stroll on the beach I was struck by the majesty of these rocks and the phrase, 'rocks have memory', suddenly came to mind. While it is meant to refer to geological memory, I wondered if it could also mean memory of human encounters stretching millions of years in the past. Imagine those silent sentinels bearing witness to secrets of men long gone. Of lovers, warriors and adventurers past, present and those in the making. If rocks could only talk, I'd be fascinated to know what stories they would tell.
This artwork is a part of a triptych which can be purchased on its own or paired with the others listed as well.
-
Acrylic on canvas
32.5cm x 32.5cm x 4.5cm
-
In this acrylic painting, I’ve explored the bright, inviting essence of an orange, pairing its vivid color with a contrasting purple background. By isolating and highlighting the fruit’s rich hues and intricate textures, I wanted to draw attention to the often-overlooked beauty of everyday life. The composition of whole and sliced segments captures both the form and the freshness of the orange, encouraging viewers to pause and appreciate its natural vibrancy. Through this study of color and contrast, I aim to evoke a sense of joy and warmth in the simple yet striking subject.
-
Acrylic on canvas
20cm x 20cm x 1.5cm
-
During a recent stroll on Sydney's Brighton Le Sands beach I took a few photos that have resulted in a set of 4 miniature paintings. This is one of them. I have primed the canvas with hand mixed gesso and was pleasantly surprised by the texture it added to the surface. Laboriously painted over many hours, this artwork contains numerous interesting details waiting to be discovered over a leisurely viewing. A magnifying glass may be needed to see the tiny figures in the composition. The painting continues on the sides. It is varnished for protection, signed at the back and will be ready to hang.
-
Acrylic on canvas
30cm x 40cm
-
An old lady with a shopping cart misses her bus by moments and calmly steps back to wait for the next one outside my local cafe. I observe from my car stopped at the signal. How unhurried, uncomplicated she looked. Happy to wait for the next bus which could be in thirty minutes or an hour and, in the meantime, she was happy to just watch the world go by. Living life in slow motion. That’s a rarity in the times we exist in. I was humbled and inspired because here I was, meters from her, drumming on the steering wheel impatiently, willing the light to go green so I can speed off to my next stop. What a contrast! And a great inspo for a painting for sure!
-
Acrylic on canvas
20cm x 30cm x 4cm
-
This is an acrylic on canvas painting of the now permanently closed Pelligrini Restaurant on the Balmain foreshore in Sydney, Australia. This painting won the Highly Commended award in Bankstown Art Society's Annual Exhibition.
I have always been attracted to old, crumbling structures, as they remind me of humans and the time that is silently taking us all through the stages of life to our eventual end. Just like a child grows into a youth and then grows old, these decaying structures make me think that they would have been young and new once, desired and doted on. But their youth is over, they are old and waiting to die.
In this structure I was particularly attracted to the boarded up windows and the general derelict appearance of the building. It also reminded me of the ephemeral nature of man-made structures in contrast to the power and permanency of nature surrounding them. I wonder how long before this weakened, crumbling construction is completely swallowed by the sea.
-
Acrylic on wood
19.5cm x 25.5cm x 6cm
-
This painting is one of my 12 part abstract series “Release”. It is an exploration of personal feelings using non-representative visual language to express emotions. Sides and back are painted black.
-
Acrylic on canvas
32.5cm x 32.5cm x 4.5cm
-
Hyperrealistic painting of red apples on a solid green background.
-
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm x 0.3cm
-
This painting of Bondi Beach explores the quiet rhythm that exists beneath one of Australia’s most iconic and energetic coastlines. Rather than focusing on the crowds usually associated with Bondi, I chose to depict a more contemplative moment—where the vastness of the ocean and the stillness between waves offer space for reflection.
The composition balances the built environment against the natural one: the tightly clustered homes and apartments rising along the headland contrast with the open shoreline and shifting water. This interplay reflects the coexistence of urban life and the restorative qualities of nature, a theme that continues to inspire my work. By isolating just a few figures on the sand, I highlight the personal, intimate ways people engage with the beach: walking, pausing, breathing and reconnecting with themselves.
The water, painted in layers of blues and greens, becomes the central voice in the scene. Its movement suggests both energy and calm, echoing the inner tides of emotion, memory and presence. The horizon line anchors the viewer, offering a sense of stability in a landscape that is constantly changing with the weather, the seasons, and the shifting light.
In this work, Bondi becomes more than a destination—it becomes a space for grounding, observation and quiet connection, reminding us that even familiar places hold moments of solitude and renewal when we choose to slow down and look closely.
-
Acrylic on canvas
60cm x 50cm x 2.5cm
-
Inspired by the tranquil beauty of the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Sydney. I love this little cultivated oasis in the middle of the city where you can step inside and be transported from the chaos of the outside, to a peaceful, restive environment that promotes cleansing of the mind and soul.
I have tried to capture my experienced feelings of calm when visiting this little paradise. The painting invites the viewer to pause and linger on the many tiny details scattered all over the canvas and let the mind and body relax as the eye wanders and loses itself in the landscape.
-
Acrylic on paper
40cm x 30cm x 1.5cm
-
“Meroogal: A Timeless Heritage” is a visual narrative, telling the story of Meroogal - a heritage listed former residence and now house museum in Nowra, City of Shoalhaven, New South Wales. Loved and maintained by four generations of women from one local family, Meroogal has barely changed since it was built in the 1880s. It is not just a building, but a home filled with memories, history and significance The architectural features such as the verandas, intricate latticework and gabled roof evoke a sense of nostalgia, paying homage to the lives, resilience and nurturing spirit of the women who lived there. The painting underscores themes of heritage and continuity, indicating a place that has been cared for and cherished over generations. It creates an emotional connection to the past residents and preserves their memory through art.
-
Acrylic on canvas
20cm x 20cm x 1.5cm
-
During a recent stroll on Sydney's Brighton Le Sands beach I took a few photos that have resulted in a set of 4 miniature paintings. This is one of them. I have primed the canvas with hand mixed gesso and was pleasantly surprised by the texture it added to the surface. Laboriously painted over many hours, this artwork contains numerous interesting details waiting to be discovered over a leisurely viewing. A magnifying glass may be needed to see the tiny figures in the composition. The painting continues on the sides. It is varnished for protection, signed at the back and will be ready to hang.
-
Acrylic on canvas
20cm x 20cm x 1.5cm
-
During a recent stroll on Sydney's Brighton Le Sands beach I took a few photos that have resulted in a set of 4 miniature paintings. This is one of them. I have primed the canvas with hand mixed gesso and was pleasantly surprised by the texture it added to the surface. Laboriously painted over many hours, this artwork contains numerous interesting details waiting to be discovered over a leisurely viewing. A magnifying glass may be needed to see the tiny figures in the composition. The painting continues on the sides. It is varnished for protection, signed at the back and will be ready to hang.
-
Acrylic on canvas
25cm x 25cm x 3cm
-
During a recent stroll on the beach I was struck by the majesty of these rocks and the phrase, 'rocks have memory', suddenly came to mind. While it is meant to refer to geological memory, I wondered if it could also mean memory of human encounters stretching millions of years in the past. Imagine those silent sentinels bearing witness to secrets of men long gone. Of lovers, warriors and adventurers past, present and those in the making. If rocks could only talk, I'd be fascinated to know what stories they would tell.
This artwork is a part of a triptych which can be purchased on its own or paired with the others listed as well.
-
Acrylic on canvas
20cm x 20cm x 1.5cm
-
During a recent stroll on Sydney's Brighton Le Sands beach I took a few photos that have resulted in a set of 4 miniature paintings. This is one of them. I have primed the canvas with hand mixed gesso and was pleasantly surprised by the texture it added to the surface. Laboriously painted over many hours, this artwork contains numerous interesting details waiting to be discovered over a leisurely viewing. A magnifying glass may be needed to see the tiny figures in the composition. The painting continues on the sides. It is varnished for protection, signed at the back and will be ready to hang.
Purchasing from Farzana Ahmad:
I offer free shipping within Australia via Auspost.
International shipping will be calculated upon purchase and the cost depends on the delivery destination. For more information, please contact me directly at, farzana_shakir@msn.com
My works ship out within 1-3 days of their sale.
I do not usually offer framing, but I can arrange for framing if requested. For more information, please contact me directly at, farzana_shakir@msn.com
I do not currently offer returns.