How can I write a blog without mentioning the main facilitator of my Masters of Fine Art degree in London- The Chevening Scholarship!
Exactly a year and seven days ago, I found out while in the transit lounge at Doha Airport that I had received the British Chevening Scholarship, an international, fully-funded scholarship by the UK Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I couldn't believe it. Having decided to apply for the scholarship last minute upon the encouragement of a friend, and after doing so being in the longlist, shortlist and then interview, was unbelievable. When I was then put in the reserve list, my heart was invested; I knew I would feel sad if I didn't receive the scholarship after getting so far. And finally, when I found out that I had, I was over the moon!
Above: Posing at the Chevening Orientation Day 2019 held at Excel Centre, London
If Chevening hadn't happened, I do not believe I would have pursued a Masters programme outside my home country, or at all. Not only did Chevening and London Metropolitan University come together to generously fund my tuition fee, they opened my mind and eyes to amazing new experiences, allowing me to make friends and memories for a lifetime.
Above: The Chevening Orientation Day stage and ceremony, October 2019
The Chevening orientation was a massive affair, with about 1700 Chevening scholars from all over the world coming together to mingle and celebrate, many proudly dressed in their national/traditional attire. We learned we were the top 3 percent out of the 75000 who applied in 2019, which was amazing. I have learned that there are very few who are chosen from creative fields, and I was thrilled and humbled to know that I was the only fine artist chosen this year for the scholarship.
Above: Komal, another Pakistani Chevener and I, representing Pakistan
Representing Pakistan not only on the Chevening Orientation Day, but being an ambassador for it during my time in London has been amazing. I hope I have been able to clear any misconceptions people may have had about the country and its' people due to the predominant narrative in the media.
Above: at The Pakistan Commission in London where we were invited for dinner after The Chevening Orientation
At London Met, I had the best MFA cohort: Romi, Miia, Tamsin, Joel, Tim and Jason, and while Covid-19 changed things and we will now graduate in different years, we will always remain united by Magnificent Cusstard, our artist collective. Our teachers Nico, Charlotte and Patrick have been inspiring and wonderful, and Rosie as the Head of Department at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Met, has been most helpful. I got to visit the most amazing art museums and galleries, and have enriching discussions on art that opened my mind. I got to discover the art of paper-cutting on a whim, which has now become a predominant part of my practice, and did silk-screening for the first time. We got to exhibit in Charlotte's Italian shop 4Cose, and exhibited as part of our art school's Christmas Cracker.
Above: Magnificent Cusstard at 4Cose in December 2019
Above: My cosy room at GC
At my accommodation, Goodenough College (GC), I have had wonderful experiences such as fancy, formal, British-style faculty dinners with distinguished guests, private tours to places such as the Mansion House, Diwali celebrations, cultural weeks, port talks, quiz and jazz nights, a Dean's Seminar to Madrid, and (would you believe it...) Bollywood dance practices for Goodenough College's 90th anniversary which was to be attended by Queen Elizabeth, it's patron, herself! (Unfortunately this got cancelled due to Covid-19. I do wish the Queen had seen our thumkas; a Bollywood hip-swinging dance move 😂). When I was in Karachi, I had the opportunity to be a part of Zoom art talks with Professor Rodrigo Olivares-Caminal (Professor of Banking Law at Queen Mary and art collector) facilitated by talented creatives at GC. I made friends here that will always remain so close to my heart.
Above: My guest, Nico de Olivera, and I at GC's Arts and Humanities faculty dinner at the Great Hall in January 2020
I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by. I cannot say I hadn't been warned. When Covid-19 happened and I had to return to Karachi for 4 months, I was not sure whether I would be able to see my friends again, or experience London as a student again. But as fate would have it, in the process of returning on 17 July to a slightly altered (but always beautiful) London, I got to wait in the exact same transit lounge at Doha Airport where I had learned of my upcoming journey as a Masters of Fine Art scholarship student just a year earlier.
Above: Some of my closest friends at GC
I am extremely grateful for this experience. What a memorable year this has been! :)
The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship scheme which enables students with leadership qualities from over 160 countries and territories to undertake postgraduate study or courses in universities in the United Kingdom. Funding for the scheme comes from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its partner organisations.
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