The Leap have collaborated with Zareena on a number of projects. Her socially engaged methods have been key to our work on the UK-Pakistan Truck art project, which brought together our diverse communities with artists in Pakistan to create great art led by people in Bradford.

I have had the privilege of working with Zareena Bano in several community settings, and I have been consistently impressed by her dedication, passion, and authenticity. As a self-taught professional, she has cultivated a remarkable skill set, driven by her genuine desire to make a positive impact. Zareena truly cares about the people she works with and the projects she takes on, always putting in 100% effort to ensure every detail is executed with excellence. What sets her apart is her ability to listen attentively to people’s needs, taking the time to understand both your goals and vision. She tailors her approach to deliver results that are not only effective but also deeply aligned with what you truly want. Zareena’s commitment to the communities she works with is unwavering, and she consistently follows through to deliver the highest quality pieces of art. 

Zareena is an exceptional artist and she has fantastic and original ideas that are so well planned and tailored so well to the needs of our pupils.   The resources that Zareena has created for us have been fantastic and so well received by the children.

The artwork that our pupils have created are so beautiful and well crafted – there is such a sense of pride, respect and joy that our pupils have put into the making of their artworks, enabled through the quality of the materials and the enthusiastic as well as enabling guidance of Zareena. The pupils have gained a greater understanding of Islam through Zareena’s workshop, which is so cleverly planned and executed by Zareena.  Pupils engage so well and ask lots of questions, adding to the creative vibe in the room.  The purposeful atmosphere of her workshops is one of creative enthusiasm and engagement and this is evident through the quality of art that our students produce as a result of her efforts. 

I had an amazing time taking part in a one-to-one mandala making workshop with Zareena at her lovely home. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed into a peaceful and creative space. Zareena is an amazingly creative artist; she is also a special teacher. Zareena guided me through every step of the mandala creation process, explaining each step of the process and guiding me when I needed.

Her passion for art is contagious, and she was so patient and encouraging throughout the entire experience. At the end of the session feeling for the first time ever truly connected to my own creativity and that is solely due to Zareena’s very special gift.  The mandala that was made will always serve as a reminder of this special, experience had with Zareena. Each piece of Zareena’s art is a gift for anyone looking to explore their internal creativity.  Her pieces are so bespoke; each a piece of great beauty, and each has a story to tell. Thank you, x.

Zareena helped to develop and deliver a fantastic programme of Truck Art inspired workshops around Redbridge, East London, in 2024. This project was one of the highlights of our calendar, filled with joy and colour. It naturally drew in lots of audiences from our South Asian communities, but also much more diverse audiences who were captivated by the designs and crafts. Zareena’s research, preparation and attention to detail is unrivalled, and her love for her work is engaging and infectious. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again and feel lucky to have been brought together for this opportunity.

I have attended several different types of fabulous workshops delivered by Zareena such as mask making, photo frame glass painting, mandalas, textiles, decoupage tray making and the lists go on. This is a fantastic way of getting creative and meeting new people. 

Initially I did feel like a fish out of water, that I didn’t really know what I was doing, but with the guidance of Zareena and confidence she gave me I have created some beautiful art that I didn’t realise I could do especially since I am more of a sports person. I can’t wait for the next session.

It is easy to be seduced by Zareena’s work just on the strength of its sheer intricacy and decorative detail.  However, it has far greater depth than the merely ornamental.  I commissioned her to do a series of work on recycled glass for The Haunting – a collaboration between Alchemy and The Leeds Library.   She demonstrated great intelligence in her interpretation of Iranian mythology with its epic battles between the forces of good and evil.  She captured encounters between humans and demons with superb assurance.  She also demonstrated that these interactions not only complicate notions of humanity but also construct new notions of masculinity and femininity.   Zareena is one of those artists, whose works reveal new layers with each exploration.   She shines in both domestic and public spaces.  Certainly, an artist I would recommend to any established or would-be collector.

Zareena is an artist that Kala Sangam / Bradford Arts Centre has worked with for many years. Her work captures everything that our arts centre is about – perfectly blending heritage stories and artforms with modern techniques and thinking to create stunning artworks. It really is a pleasure working with her.

Working with Zareena as a collaborator has been an absolute joy. She is brimming with creativity, effortlessly working across different artistic modes and always bringing imagination and enthusiasm into every project. What sets her apart is not only her ability to generate innovative ideas but also the deep thought and meticulous planning she puts into every workshop she delivers.

There is a level of trust built over time, knowing that anything she creates will be of the highest quality—engaging, immersive, and accessible to all ages. Whether it’s a kite-making workshop or truck art at BSAF, she has a unique ability to take an idea and transform it into something magical, adding her own artistic touch to produce a truly rich, multi-layered experience.

What I value most is the joy at the heart of her work. Every workshop she delivers leaves participants with a sense of achievement and shared enjoyment, fostering a deeper love for creativity across generations. The smiles, the positive feedback, and the tangible creations participants take home are a testament to her ability to make art both meaningful and memorable.

Zareena’s work is not just about the moment—it’s about building a lasting legacy of creative expression. I am incredibly grateful for her dedication and collaboration, and I look forward to many more inspiring projects together.