The Gandhara Loom Series II - Murad Sami Khan

Artist Statement:

I take inspiration from my native area Swat depicting
the rich cultural mosaic of the Gandhara civilization
with emphasis on the intricate motifs found in the
archaeological wonders of Swat. My work explores
themes of cultural heritage, spiritual symbolism, and
the visual history of the Gandhara civilization. I focus
on ancient Buddhist motifs, sacred architecture, and
traditional techniques like Jamdani weaving to create
textiles that connect the past with the present. My
process begins with field visits to Gandhara sites in
Swat, where I observe and document historical motifs.
I create sketches inspired by these visuals and convert
them into graph designs suitable for weaving.


Biography:

Murad Sami Khan is a textile artist and designer
specializing in culturally rooted, handwoven textiles
exploring the visual language of the Gandhara
civilization, using techniques like Jamdani
weaving to reinterpret ancient Buddhist motifs and
architecture into contemporary textile forms.
He graduated from the Textile Design department
from the National College of Arts in 2024. His collection
Gandhara Draperies, was showcased at the
40th Anniversary of the Pakistan International
Handmade Crafts Exhibition. He has also
exhibited at national design showcases and continue to
develop pieces that bridge heritage and modern craft.