"I was creating a garment out of my body."
Pakistani artist and designer Misha Japanwala is making waves in the art world by documenting human bodies through her unique sculptures.
In a recent interview with CBS News, Japanwala described herself not as a sculptor, but as a documentor of life and loss.
While walking through her exhibit at the Hannah Traore Gallery, she said: “My practice is documenting people and their bodies.”
Born and raised in Karachi, Japanwala gained international recognition after making it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021.
Her signature breastplates and human-form sculptures reflect Pakistan’s social issues while also showcasing her evolving artistic sensibility and aesthetic.
Japanwala’s work has attracted global attention, with her moulds worn by Lupita Nyong’o and rapper Cardi B in music videos.
Cardi B used her breastplate in the video for ‘Rumours’ while also featuring it in photos announcing her pregnancy in June 2021.
She was also highlighted in a special issue of V Magazine guest-edited by model Gigi Hadid, showcasing her growing influence.
Moving to the United States to study fashion, Japanwala found herself captivated not by clothes but by the bodies that wore them.
She said: “Instead of feeling like I had to conform my body to fit a certain garment, I was creating a garment out of my body itself.”
From her New Jersey home studio, Japanwala invites subjects to have their bodies moulded, creating both art and an archive of lived experiences.
For her exhibit, Sarsabzi, meaning flourishing, she displayed vibrant moulds of women’s body parts, celebrating scars, stretch marks, and natural contours.
She said: “People aren’t used to that. To walk into a gallery and see your own body celebrated is a magical experience.”
Her technique begins by mixing body-safe silicone, painting it onto the subject, and then coating it in plaster before peeling it away.
This method captures the raw reality of human form while simultaneously transforming it into an object of artistic reverence and visibility.
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Japanwala shared the story of Zahra Khan, a breast cancer patient who responded to her open call in Karachi for breast mouldings.
Khan had her mould made the night before her double mastectomy and documented it to raise awareness about breast cancer through Instagram.
Three years later, Khan passed away at age 33, and Japanwala plans a new open call to honour her memory and support a cancer hospital in Karachi.
She explained: “It allows you to understand and check in with your body.
“My work gives young women the freedom to release shame.”
Misha Japanwala’s practice combines social commentary, personal empowerment, and artistic innovation, turning intimate human experiences into public, celebratory art.
By embracing the parts that society often stigmatises, she encourages women to reclaim their bodies and redefine beauty on their own terms.
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