Shamsuddin was born in 1986 in Mian Sahib, District Shikarpur, Sindh, Pakistan. He currently lives and works in Lahore.
Shamsuddin demonstrated a passion and talent for drawing from a young age, inspired by one of his early teachers in Mian Sahib. This initial influence laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to the arts.

He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with honors in Miniature Painting from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, in 2010. During his studies, he was selected for an exchange program at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, in 2009, providing him with valuable international exposure and artistic insight.

Studio Practice and Medium
After graduating from NCA, Shamsuddin began his independent studio practice. Over the years, he has explored a variety of mediums, but his current body of work is created primarily using graphite on Arches paper. He utilizes graphite powder, graphite pencils, and white paint to build a unique visual language that blends traditional elements with contemporary sensibilities.

Exhibitions
Shamsuddin has participated in various group exhibitions both in Pakistan and abroad. His most recent group show was held at the Pakistan Art Forum in Lahore in August 2023. His work continues to gain recognition for its technical skill and thoughtful reinterpretation of classical forms.
Artistic Philosophy and Revival of Mughal Miniature
Shamsuddin’s work is deeply rooted in the classical tradition of miniature painting. He acknowledges that every classical art form has its own limitations and conventions, and miniature painting is no exception. While Persian miniature painting has managed to retain its essence due to the continuity of trained artisans, the Mughal miniature tradition has suffered from a lack of preservation and expert practitioners.

With the absence of living ustaads or artisans specializing in Mughal miniature, only pictorial references remain. Shamsuddin seeks to revive the lost grandeur of Mughal miniature painting through his own interpretive lens. By integrating gold and silver leaf with graphite techniques, he reimagines the opulence and romanticized imagery of royal life that once defined the Mughal aesthetic.

Through this revivalist approach, Shamsuddin aims to preserve and reawaken the legacy of Mughal miniature painting, transforming historical references into contemporary works of art that honor the past while engaging with the present.