Born in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1973, Nusra Latif Qureshi graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the National College of Arts there. From 1996 to 1999 Qureshi served as a visiting artist the miniature painting department at her alma mater, and in 2002, she completed her Master’s degree in Fine Art at the Victorian College of the Arts at the University of Melbourne.


The artist uses her skills to perfectly execute her paintings in traditional styles, but sets them in a contemporary environment in order to discuss imminent issues. Amongst other things her contemporary images are influenced by colonial illustrations, designs from Middle Eastern textiles, botanical paintings and silhouettes. An isolated female figure is always represented either in the background or foreground of her paintings, breaking the conventional rule of having mainly male figures in Mughal miniature paintings, and also subconsciously personifying the artist itself.

Qureshi’s paintings are a reflection on the past; on what is left from it, and what we can create using the remains of bygone times, particularly focusing on Pakistan and Australia which both bear a recent and uneasy history. Qureshi moved to Australia in 2001 to further her studies, and once there she started to reflect upon the condition of immigrants based on her personal experiences.

The artist has exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions across Asia, the United States, Europe and Australia, including: ‘Beyond the Self’ at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, in 2011; ‘Realms of Intimacy: Miniaturist Practice from Pakistan’ at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, in 2011; ‘The Rising Tide’ at Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi, in 2010; ‘Beyond The Page’ at Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, in 2010; ‘Living Traditions’ at the National Art Gallery, Islamabad, in 2009; ‘East West Divan: Contemporary Art from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan’ at the 53rd Venice Biennale, in 2009; ‘An Ever Expanding Universe’ at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, in 2008. Qureshi’s work was also included in ‘Karkhana: A Contemporary Collaboration’ at Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Connecticut, in 2005; ‘Beyond Borders: Art of Pakistan’ at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, in 2005; and a solo exhibition at Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, in 2004.

The artist lives and works in Melbourne.