How Does Sara Shakeel Use Crystals as a Medium for Communication?
Sara Shakeel has become an influential figure in the digital art world, known for her unique use of crystals to convey stories and emotions. This multidisciplinary artist first garnered attention after sharing her captivating, crystallized artwork on Instagram. With over 1.3 million followers and collaborations with renowned brands such as Reebok and Lancôme, Sara Shakeel has carved a space in the art scene that continues to inspire many.
Her work even caught the eye of Chance the Rapper, who featured her art on his 2019 album cover. Sara Shakeel, originally from Pakistan and now based in London, has also taken center stage in the 2024 Muslim Women’s Day campaign, showcasing her powerful and evocative creations.
Early Career Experiences
One of Sara Shakeel’s first pivotal moments came when she began experimenting with digital art. Initially training as a dentist, she recognized that her true passion lay elsewhere. The first commissioned piece she created was for the jewelry designer Sue Gragg, an experience that helped her understand her worth as an artist.
Instagram | thejanmiller | Early experiences with undervaluation and working with Sue Gragg shaped Shakeel’s understanding of self-worth.
This early project set the stage for her future endeavors, highlighting the importance of valuing creative skills and ensuring that others respect them. Learning early on that people may try to undervalue emerging artists, her work with Gragg was a formative experience that reinforced the significance of knowing one’s worth.
A Turning Point
The day Sara Shakeel posted her first digital artwork on Instagram marked a new chapter. Starting with darker hues and somber tones in her early pieces, her style evolved into something much more luminous and distinctive. That initial post attracted 23 likes, a moment that resonated deeply with her and sparked her journey toward digital artistry. This milestone reflected the importance of taking the first step and celebrating small wins, which eventually laid the foundation for her rise as a notable digital artist.
Career Advice That Made a Difference
An essential moment in Sara Shakeel’s career development came from a conversation with her then-boyfriend, who would later become her husband. With just a few thousand followers at the time, he suggested that she consider monetizing her art by selling prints and taking on projects and contracts. This advice led to new opportunities and a more entrepreneurial approach to her work, emphasizing the importance of support and encouragement in achieving professional growth.
Highlighting the significance of expansive thinking, Sara Shakeel now often shares her empowering mindset with others, particularly emphasizing to her daughter that limitless opportunities are achievable with the right mindset.
The Symbolism of Crystals in Art
Crystals hold profound meaning in Sara Shakeel’s creations. Her fascination began in childhood when her grandmother’s collection of Swarovski figurines captivated her. Growing up in a South Asian household, crystals also played a role in daily life and culture. This familiarity turned into a lifelong connection, where the sparkle and brilliance of crystals became a form of communication in her work.
Each piece is crafted with intent, using the shimmering beauty of crystals to tell stories and convey deeper messages. This proves that art can transcend visual appeal and act as a medium for storytelling.
Celebrating Multifaceted Identities in Art
Image by The Express Tribune | Sara Shakeel’s rise underscores the rarity of Muslim women achieving global art recognition.
Sara Shakeel’s journey also highlights the realities of being a Muslim woman in the international art world. The industry includes only a small number of female artists with global recognition, making her success both rare and significant.
While maintaining a balance between her identity as a Muslim and her role as an artist, she showcases that traditional and religious values can coexist with creative expression. Her art reflects her belief that identity can be multifaceted and that being deeply rooted in faith does not limit artistic exploration.
A Career Milestone
One of the most remarkable moments in Sara Shakeel’s career came during her participation in the Disney [Create] 100 collection. For this project, she crafted a crystallized piece inspired by “Alice in Wonderland” from Disney’s archives. The event featured a small gathering where Pharrell, an artist she had long admired, attended and viewed her work. The moment he acknowledged knowing her work became an emotional highlight, symbolizing how far she had come from her early days in Pakistan. This encounter underscored the power of resilience and ambition in reaching unimaginable heights.
Sara Shakeel’s journey from an aspiring creative experimenting with digital tools to an internationally recognized artist illustrates the power of passion, persistence, and the willingness to embrace unique expressions. Through her mesmerizing crystal-infused art, she has communicated powerful stories and emotions, leaving a lasting impact on the art community and beyond.