After completing her foundational fine arts degree at Beaconhouse National University (BNU) in Lahore, Soraya refined her technical expertise through the London Atelier of Representational Arts and University College London’s Slade Summer School. Merging classical representational mastery with spontaneous mark-making, she transformed traditional subject matter—such as flora, fauna, and natural terrains—into evocative visual meditations on memory, identity, and ecological unity.
Her prolific practice encompasses over twenty-six international solo and group exhibitions at premier galleries, museums, and biennales across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Her works consistently garner critical acclaim, lead to nonstop sold-out exhibitions, and feature in major international auctions, including Bonhams London, where her painting The Sea fetched £1,785 in 2022.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the global arts and cultural landscape, Soraya was awarded the prestigious Golden Visa by the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Career highlights
Major Exhibitions and Biennials
Soraya’s works have been featured across leading cultural institutions and international art events. She represented Pakistan on multiple occasions at the Beijing International Art Biennale at the National Art Museum of China, including the 7th Biennale with her work After the Rain, the 8th Biennale in 2019, and as the sole artist selected from Pakistan for the 10th Biennale's Theme Exhibition (Coexistence) in 2025–2026, where her large-scale oil painting After the Rain was showcased at the Beijing Exhibition Center.
Her work has been exhibited at prominent venues worldwide, including Galerie Patries Van Dorst (Netherlands), the National Museum of Bangladesh (Dhaka), La Galleria Pall Mall and the Royal Opera Arcade (London), the National Art Museum of Moldova, Etihad Museum, the Asian Art Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum, the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK Fine Art Fair), Alhamra Art Gallery (Lahore), and the Lahore Biennale.
Curatorial Highlights & International Group Presentations
Soraya maintains an active presence in major Middle Eastern contemporary art dialogues:
• "Chroma" & Art Talk (Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi): Soraya exhibited Circle of Life, a fresco-inspired masterpiece combining calligraphic landscapes with cosmological themes, inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and supported by His Excellency Khaled Seddiq Al Mutawaa. She also delivered an insightful art talk on memory, heritage, and color.
• "Places We Carry" (Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi): Featured alongside 23 international artists, her work Forest (After the Rain) was highlighted for its ephemeral quality and psychological depth in capturing shifting natural environments.
• "Futurities: Envisioning New Worlds" (Diba Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi): Curated by Hana Sammak El Kurdi, Soraya participated in this multidisciplinary exhibition bridging art, science, sustainability, and space exploration alongside Zayed University faculty and leading UAE artists.
• "Her Stories: Women, Art and Identity Across Cultures": Organized by MIA Art Collection at Dubai Festival City, Soraya served as a featured speaker in a round-table discussion exploring themes of feminism, ecology, migration, and heritage preservation.
Philanthropy and Auction Success
Beyond commercial exhibitions, Soraya utilizes her art for philanthropic endeavors. At The Citizens Foundation (TCF) Annual Gala 2025 in Washington DC, she donated four paintings—including Blue Hummingbirds ($1,300 USD), Blue Fantasy Birds ($1,700 USD), The Sun ($2,000 USD), and her monumental painting Butterflies ($12,000 USD)—raising a total of $17,000 USD to support children's literacy in Pakistan.
Media Recognition and Public Engagement
As a TEDx art speaker, Soraya engages global audiences on the creative process and education. Her practice has received extensive coverage in international art journals and publications, including China News, HELLO! Magazine, OK!, The National, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, The Gulf Today, Dahabiya, Al Bilad, Jaffat El Aqlam, and Artlyst.
Landmark Return with "Cosmos"
Marking her return to Pakistan after a six-year hiatus, Soraya premiered her landmark traveling solo exhibition Cosmos at Unicorn Gallery in Karachi before traveling to Lahore. Organized in collaboration with Avari Towers Karachi, Phenomena by Pomme, and Majoor Arts UAE, the exhibition reinterpreted classic nature studies and still-lifes, presenting a dynamic symphony of nature-inspired compositions that captivated regional art lovers.
