Can art truly be a bridge between cultures? After seeing the work of Tusif Ahmad, I believe the answer is a resounding yes.
He is a paper artist who strives to bring Islamic stories to life via his incredibly detailed, layered papercuttings. He wrote to introduce himself and I'm so glad he did, as his works are truly some of the largest and most intricate I've come across - the dedication to his craft is palpable!
He shared with me: "My hand-cut art transforms verses from the Qur’an into visual compositions, blending spirituality with craftsmanship. Currently, I am working on pictorial representations of Qur’anic verses, giving artist talks, and conducting workshops to share this unique art form."
From Pakistan to Perth
Artistic since childhood, Tusif studied with prolific painter and calligrapher Sadequain in his homeland of Pakistan. A software engineer by trade, he emigrated to Perth, Australia in 2006. In addition to running a software company, he developed a strong desire to express his heritage and faith through art.
He admits to spending several hours each day cutting paper. Each one of the largest pieces takes roughly three months to complete. "My design process takes a significant portion of the time, often around 60–70%. I usually begin by developing different sketches and then combining them into a final composition."
"As for tools, I use a fine precision scalpel — typically an Excel Blade Knife #11 — which gives me the control needed for delicate and detailed cuts."
A Bridge Between Faith and Art
I was curious about what drew him specifically to the medium of papercutting.
"My journey into papercutting began quite unexpectedly. I have been involved in art since childhood, mostly working with pen, ink, and sketching. After moving to Australia, there was a moment at home that quietly changed my direction."
"Some visitors had come to speak about Islam, and later, while reflecting on that conversation, my daughter, who was around 11 at the time, mentioned she was feeling bored during her school holidays. There happened to be a piece of paper and scissors nearby, and almost without intention, I folded the paper and made a few cuts. When I opened it, it formed a simple sunflower."
"That small moment stayed with me. While encouraging my daughter to explore it further, I began to think about the possibilities myself. As I researched more, I noticed that very few Muslim artists were working in papercutting, especially in a way that connects with Islamic art.
I felt there was a meaningful opportunity here — combining the delicacy of paper with the depth and detail of Islamic artistic tradition, and using it as a medium to tell stories and express ideas in a non-figurative way. Since then, this has become my primary focus."
Materials and Experimentation
While Tusif mainly works with paper, he isn't afraid to experiment with other mediums to achieve the desired impact. I noticed that for some of his large-scale installations, he chooses vinyl over paper.
"I primarily work with paper, as it allows me to achieve the depth, layering, and subtle interplay of light and shadow that are central to my practice. The choice of paper is very important — I usually prefer high-quality, slightly thicker paper that can hold fine, intricate cuts without tearing, while still allowing precision."
"Regarding vinyl, yes, most of my recent works are created on vinyl, mainly for a few reasons. Firstly, I use self-textured vinyl which, when cut and framed under good spotlighting, creates a very striking visual effect. Secondly, paper colours can have a limited lifespan; some collectors have experienced fading in watercolour-based pieces over time. Lastly, as I work on larger-scale artworks, sourcing paper beyond A0 size has sometimes been challenging. For these reasons, vinyl has become a practical and effective alternative."
Inspiring Harmony Through Art
Perhaps most moving is Tusif’s mission to use his talent as a bridge for cultural understanding.
"I take pride in using art to dispel misconceptions, promote harmony, and inspire connections that transcend faith and culture," he shares. Through my work, I aim not only to create visually stunning pieces, but also to leave a lasting impact by sharing the inherent beauty of my faith and values."
See more of Tusif Ahmad's work via his website, and follow his latest creations on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
