Dr Yasmin Rashid finds comfort and hope through art behind bars

Incarcerated PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid’s collection of artwork, titled “Beyond the Bars: Creativity when the hands, mind and soul remain free”, was released on her birthday on September 21.

The paintings and embroidery were created during the PTI leader’s incarceration, which began on May 11, 2023.

“In the first year, I had read about 150 books to keep myself busy,” she wrote in an accompanying letter. “Of the women I knew in jail, all of them were released on bail and I was left all by meself,” she added.

“I needed to keep my mind occupied with something productive. I had always loved doing embroidery and painting in my younger days.”

Tweet by Dr. Yasmin Rashid

Dr Yasmin said that these pieces were never created with an exhibition in mind. "They were simply moments of comfort, carefully sewn one stitch at a time, and shared as gifts with the people whose love, prayers, and wavering support gave me strength every single day," she added.

“In the quiet of those moments, embroidery became more than a pastime, it became a source of comfort, patience and hope.”

“They also remind me that even in the most difficult circumstances, there can still be beauty, creativity, and reasons to remain hopeful.”