Ishmam Ahmed shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ishmam, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
In my work as a freelance artist and community organizer, I often notice in the people I encounter a struggle to find purpose, hope, and belonging in a post-pandemic, polarized, and increasingly automated world. Understandably so—and by no means does it go totally unsaid—but I find an increasing prevalence of people—especially young people—having a steadfast desire to help, to contribute to a cause greater than themselves, but, through no fault of their own, a lack of awareness, impetus, knowledge, or intuition about the avenues by which to meaningfully do so.
As an artist, I feel a sense of responsibility to change that—to not only help people grow more aware, but more empowered. Through illustration, I hope to be a conduit for information and make people aware of the agency they have available to improve their circumstances. It can be through cause-focused community groups, relationships with city council, or clubs of like-minded individuals who value each others’ well being—spaces you’ll find invitations to on coffee shop bulletins boards or chance encounters in community. There’s a growing hunger for third spaces, I have noticed. And I know they’re there, but they need nurturing from us all.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a freelance illustrator based in Minneapolis. Born in Bangladesh and raised in Minnesota, I imbue my work with a special attention to nature, our relationship with it, the stories that surround us, and the social issues that shape our collective well-being. I draw inspiration from a multitude of sources that include animation, printmaking, literature, and music. Having illustrated two children’s books and a graphic novel, and completed work as a freelance artist in my community for various progressive organizations, I’ve found my groove; I’m committed to creating more artwork that sows curiosity, delight, and wisdom for all who care to look.
I got my start as the kid who would always be doodling in class…and getting in trouble for it. Growing up alongside dial-up internet, I began posting my work online, where a small audience slowly began to blossom. Nowadays, I’m known best known for my action-oriented style of digital painting, recognizable for its bold strokes, color, and dynamism—spanning a variety of subject matter that includes landscape, portraiture, sci-fi, fantasy, and life drawing, my work has found its home with those who have a deep love for our world, and the worlds within it.
Looking out at the horizon, I would like to create more artwork in my groove, and in support of social causes I’m passionate about. This includes cultivating a greater sense of belonging in a polarized, post-pandemic world, as well as helping visualize solutions for the climate crisis. With my deep love of humanity and our shared stories, I hope I get to illustrate more books too.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
At the end of 2019, just before the pandemic became a pandemic, I was back visiting my home country of Bangladesh with my dad. I was 25, and it was my first time back since 7th grade. A lot had changed. For the first time with adult eyes, I was seeing how far the country had come in such a short time: internet had arrived in the villages, skyscrapers were going up, and the country was rapidly developing. It was clear that quality of life was improving for everyone.
However, at the same time, I grew increasingly aware of the challenges posed by climate change, specifically, the threat of rising sea levels in Bangladesh. Because the country has such a high population density, and is deeply interconnected by rivers and agriculture, climate change poses an acute threat. On one hand, I saw a country that had rapidly grown and developed, brimming with promise, while on the other was a very real existential crisis, and despair.
This all came to a head when my dad and I took a river boat on the final days of the trip through a national forest to the southern coast of Bangladesh. There came a point where we hiked out to a beach, where, oddly, a single mangrove happened to be growing a far way out from the rest of the tree line. A lone tree. It was a striking visual that I still have a photo of. At that moment, I couldn’t help but think: is this tree going to be here next year? Or will it be underwater? What about the rest of my home country? My family? The place I was born?
On the flight back to Minnesota, I realized I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing living in America, which is looked up to and sets an example for so many countries around the world. So: I researched, I got involved, I made acquaintances which became friends and mentors, and I contributed my skills to a cause I continue to care deeply about, growing all along the way. I’ve grown to understand that inaction has a cost, and that possibilities can be unlocked if we put collective action behind our intentions—the passing of Minnesota’s 100% Clean Electricity Bill in 2023 being a prime example, and one of many.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If you’re going to be hard on yourself, at least have a sense of humor about it.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
The friends who know me well would say that they really matter to me; my friendships are everything to me—sources of support, laughter, joy, reassurance, guidance, inspiration, trust. Underpinning those friendships are our shared values: curiosity, empathy, well-being, justice, goofiness. It goes without saying, but I wouldn’t be who I am without my closest friends.
My good friends also know how important art is to me, in all its various forms: music, cooking, photography, poetry, performance—even data visualization and beyond—deep appreciation for human creativity, ingenuity, and empathy are central to how I operate.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Well, there’s no guarantee how much, or if it even will pay off. But! I’m steadily building my body of work with new art, illustrations, animations, designs, and writing with the hopes that one day, I can look back and feel abundantly proud, confident in the fact that my work made a positive difference in the world, whether that’s through more children’s book illustrations, freelance work for community organizations, or projects that I can’t even fathom right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ishmam.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishmamillustrates/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishmamahmed/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ishmamahmed
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishmamillustrates/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ishmamahmed1
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ishmamahmed
Image Credits
Brandan Strickland (@blk_shogun on Instagram)
