Pakistani artist Adeel uz Zafar’s work is both terrifying and amusing. His toys wrapped in bandages evoke childhood anxiety, turning comforting objects into monstrous figures. uz Zafar uses a unique technique that combines the art of the miniature and a massive scale for his black vinyl surface engravings. There is something sinister about the object because it is hidden from view and is bandaged. His toys reflect the innocence of childhood and a primeval need for security during adolescence. These works point to a loss of innocence and to the disintegration of the socio-political framework in Pakistan and to the pain that results.

Adeel uz Zafar was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1975. He completed his BFA from National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore, graduating in 1998. After college, he returned to Karachi to join Karachi School of Arts as an instructor and also started to work as a children’s book illustrator. In 2008 he joined Indus Valley School of Art. uz Zafar has taken part in a number of group exhibitions in Pakistan and in 2010 he exhibited at Fost Gallery in Singapore and at Slick Art Fair, Paris