Asif Reza Haque
Asif Reza Haque grew up in Lancaster, England, where his earliest encounters with art took shape through observation. As a child, he drew animals and birds from books, responding instinctively to images that caught his attention. Both his family and teachers recognized and encouraged his ability, and for a time, there was even consideration of enrolling him in art school. Although that path did not materialize, the encouragement remained steady. When his family returned to Bangladesh at age eight, his mother arranged private art lessons, introducing him to watercolor painting and reinforcing drawing as a meaningful part of his daily life.
While his parents supported his interest, Haque describes the original impulse to draw as something internal rather than taught. Art came naturally to him, gradually transforming from interest into passion. Without formal academic training, he pursued learning independently, reading about art history and immersing himself in the works of Renaissance, Impressionist, and Post-Impressionist painters. Over time, he developed a particular affinity for oil painting, drawn to its historical weight and expressive potential. This medium has remained central to his practice, and the influence of Impressionist artists is evident in his use of short, visible, and energetic brushstrokes.
Haque no longer feels compelled to experiment widely across media, having found a lasting connection with oil paint. His work consistently returns to themes of love, peace, and unity, ideals he approaches with sincerity and conviction. These values are most clearly articulated in his ongoing series Love Is Greater, which depicts interracial couples whose affection transcends ethnic and cultural divisions. Through intimate gestures and shared gazes, the paintings emphasize love as a unifying force that exists beyond prejudice or social boundaries.
His creative process is deliberate and research-driven. Before beginning a painting, Haque spends days or even months preparing, studying the subject, theme, or narrative he intends to explore. This preparatory phase allows him to work with confidence once he commits paint to canvas. Inspiration does not typically come from his immediate surroundings, which he describes as hectic, but rather from inward reflection. Music, reading, meditation, and imagination form the primary sources from which his ideas emerge.
Haque maintains a focused studio rhythm, usually painting during the daytime for two to four hours at a stretch. He values intensity over duration, recognizing that his productivity diminishes beyond that window. During periods of low inspiration, he retreats temporarily, turning to music and meditation to recalibrate rather than forcing progress. This approach has helped him navigate creative blocks with greater patience and self-awareness.
Fulfillment, for Haque, comes from translating his inner ideals onto the canvas. While recognition is appreciated, his personal measure of success is emotional satisfaction and a sense of honesty in the work itself. Looking ahead, he intends to continue expanding the Love Is Greater series, further exploring how painting can communicate ideals of connection, compassion, and shared humanity. Grounded in his multicultural life experience, his work remains guided by a belief in love as the most powerful and enduring force across difference.
