Hashem
Sanjar was born in 1943, in Kabul, Afghanistan, where the long, bitterly
cold winters had much to do with him taking up painting as a young boy. His
love of the countryside, nature and his fellow countrymen grew into a deep
love of drawing and printing. As a shy but determined young man, he would hide
in the shadows to watch one of Afghanistan's great master artists at work.
Later, this artist was to take Hashem on as his private student. Two other
Afghan masters also passed down their knowledge to Hashem. He credits his strength
in watercolour portraiture and landscapes and ability to delicately blend colours
and impart atmosphere into his paintings directly to these three great teachers.
While studying for his B.A. at Kabul University, he entered several national
competitions in sculpture as well as watercolour and received prizes in both
categories. After graduation, he was chosen to represent his country in shows
throughout Europe including the former USSR, Germany and France. He accepted
a position at Kabul's Institute of Technology on the Persian Literature faculty.
It was during this very happy and productive time of his life that he was chosen
as one of only four artists to study the ancient Chinese stone-carving method
from a visiting Chinese master, Lin Rukuan. To this day, this delicate art
remains as one of Hashem's favourite pastimes.
Sadly, in 1979 Hashem was forced to flee his country when the communists took
over. After spending some time in Paris, France, he moved to New York City.
During his years in America painting continued to be his passion. He held several
exhibitions and one-man-shows and adapted easily to the soft landscapes of
the American countryside. Hashem fell in love with Bronwyn, an Australian and
immigrated to the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The feelings of well-being and
peace from finally finding his "home" are reflected in recent paintings.
Hashem believes that in both times of joy and sadness, in his playful abstracts
and his serious portraits, he is continually learning more about both his subjects
and himself. The act of painting is "a journey which brings me to a deep
place within myself - a place of strength and peace and creativity. When I
arrive there, my thoughts and emotions are set free and flow out through the
brush and onto each canvas, into each picture. The result is a visual record
of this journey of the soul."
More of Hashem's work can be seen at "Gallery D" Montville.
Studio viewings can be arranged at his home Ph: 07 5448 9901
