Saks Afridi is a Pakistan born, New York City based multi-disciplinary artist. He makes futuristic art inspired by ancient South Asian and Middle Eastern culture. He does this through a genre he terms as ‘Sci-fi Sufism’, where he fuses mysticism and futurism to discover worlds and galaxies within the self.
Saks comes to art with a background as a Creative Director in advertising. He studied advertising at the Academy of Art and sculpture at the Art Students League of New York. He speaks English, Urdu, Pashto and conversational Arabic. He is the proud recipient of Gold Cannes Lion Awards, D&AD, One Show Pencils and a United Nations Award for Peace & Understanding.
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Day Time Journey, 2024 (Embroidered)Daytime Journey immerses viewers in a landscape bathed in the soft, golden light of dawn or dusk, where day and night intertwine. Anchored by the driver’s perspective, a steady hand grips the steering wheel, guiding us through a serene, otherworldly terrain. Ethereal mountains in pastel shades of pink and gold rise against a sky where celestial bodies linger, blending the familiar with the surreal. This juxtaposition symbolizes the fluidity of time and the convergence of life’s phases. The piece invites viewers to explore their memories, confronting past experiences while reflecting on the self as they traverse the road ahead.
The experience is elevated through a variety of textured embroidery techniques, bringing the landscape to life. The intricate details of the mountains and foliage are beautifully rendered with modern threadwork, while the 3D embroidery on the car’s windshield, dashboard, and wheel creates a striking visual display.
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Night Time Odyssey, 2024 (Embroidered)Nighttime Odyssey immerses viewers in a mystical nocturnal landscape, transforming the journey into a deeply introspective experience. The driver's hand reappears as a guiding force through towering mountains and shadowed forests beneath a starry sky. The rich palette of deep blues and greens contrasts with glowing golden orbs, highlighting a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This work delves into the introspective nature of nighttime travel, where darkness reveals clarity. Illuminated by distant stars, the path symbolizes a quest for self-discovery. The imposing snow-capped mountain represents the ultimate goal—self-awareness and enlightenment—capturing the transformative power of the journey toward understanding.
