ZAFAR DURRANI.
Born in the capital of Pakistan, Zafar Durrani moved to Budapest three years ago for University, drawn by the underrated charm of the city - though, by his own admission, the decision was somewhat random.
Now 25, he’s studying arts management while immersing himself fully in his creative pursuits. Art has been a lifelong companion, nurtured by a family rich in talent - his great grandfather was a renowned poet in Pakistan, and his mother, an early inspiration, taught him how to draw.
“I’ve been creating art since childhood, but without formal education - just pure passion.”
The journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Within his first month in Budapest, a kitchen fire left him with a burnt arm facing second degree burns, making him unable to draw or write for three months. Yet, his recovery was swift, and the experience only pushed him deeper into his art. “My art comes from a place of survival” he reflects.
“Everyone has vices - I turned to a lot of negative ones, but eventually, I used art as my outlet, and it’s helped me immensely.”
Over time, his work became a visual record of his life, capturing emotions and memories without words.
“When people see my art, they might not understand my experience, but they find their own meaning in it. That’s when I realised we’re not that different from each other.”
