Pakistani artist’s hand-painted animation lights up Times Square
Eeman Masood’s “Listen” featured in Times Square Arts’ Midnight Moment program
NEW YORK (MNTV) — A hand-painted animation by Pakistani artist Eeman Masood is being showcased nightly this month on the iconic billboards of Times Square as part of the “Midnight Moment” program organized by Times Square Arts.
The piece, titled “Listen,” is displayed every night from 11:57 p.m. to midnight across 96 digital screens, offering late-night viewers a three-minute immersion into Masood’s intricate visual world.
In an interview with the Geo News program “Geo Pakistan,” Masood said her artistic practice is rooted in miniature and watercolor painting, which she studied at the National College of Arts in Pakistan. She later expanded her hand-painted techniques into animation while pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Victoria in Canada.
“Listen” explores themes of resilience and the quiet generosity of nature. At the center of the animation is an ancient banyan tree, surrounded by shimmering particles that blur the boundary between the earthly and celestial. Each element — from the tree’s textured bark to the peacocks nestled beneath its canopy — was meticulously hand-painted before being animated.
The soundtrack, composed specifically for the project by Masood’s friend and former NCA colleague Mujeeb, features flute and santur, complementing the contemplative tone of the visuals.
Masood said the banyan tree motif was inspired by a visit to Lahore in 2023, where she encountered what locals described as a “tree of blessing.” Though neglected and plastered with advertisements, the tree continued to provide shade and shelter to passersby. She said the image symbolized endurance and selfless giving — central ideas in her work.
The selection process for Times Square Arts was highly competitive, involving multiple rounds of review before final approval, Masood said.
She expressed pride that the work of a Pakistan-trained miniature painter is being presented in one of the world’s most prominent public art spaces.
The Midnight Moment program transforms Times Square’s commercial billboards into synchronized public art displays each night, providing artists with a global platform in the heart of New York City.
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