"This is How We Pray" - Haris Sardar

When I first met Haris at Art Basel Miami, I could already envision the essence of his art—before seeing a single piece. It was clear: his work would be a symphony of light and dreams, a burst of colors that ignites the imagination with the energy to challenge everything we take for granted in our contemporary lives. His vibrant spirit and infectious smile instantly draw you in. As he approaches, your gaze is inevitably caught by an oversized, hand-crafted dahlia on one of his shoes, pulling you deeper into the orbit of his brilliant referential surrealist world.

Haris’ energy is contagious, his laughter is a doorway to a surreal realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. Entering his world feels like stepping into the very core of surrealism, where the lines between what’s real and what’s dreamed become delightfully indistinct. You find yourself studying every brushstroke, every play of light and shadow, questioning everything you thought you knew about art and reality. In that moment, you wonder: Is this how we've been praying since the dawn of religion—through the lenses of awe, reflection, and transcendence?

It is with great excitement that we present our first virtual exhibition of Haris Sardar at Atelier Sarahmer: This Is How We Pray.

Süeda Sarah Sönmez

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Haris Sardar (b. 1983) is a Canadian-Pakistani visual artist and an actuary currently living and pursuing both disciplines in Toronto.

His artistic practice began in childhood, and included various mediums such as water colour, gouache, sculpture, and stained glass. After an 18-year hiatus to pursue his professional development as an actuary, his passion led him back to the fine arts in 2019. As an artist, in a short period of time he has held successful exhibitions in New York City, Toronto, Venice(Italy) and Lahore. Haris has been featured in various publications, received numerous accolades, and his work has been acquired by collectors across the world.

From a visual perspective, Haris wants to fill his audience with a sense of wonder, imagination and transport them into an alternate reality. The main inspiration is derived from the ultimate creator and you will always find an element of nature in his paintings. The work is also heavily influenced by his travels, immersion in multicultural societies, and exposure to life in the East and West. Haris’ ambition is to keep pushing boundaries on social, political, and charitable agendas.

"This Is How We Pray"