Vizag artist Sayeeda Ali turns dyslexia into art, charts decades-long career

Visakhapatanam: For artist Sayeeda Ali, colours became a language before words did.

Growing up by the sea in Visakhapatnam and living with dyslexia, Ali found herself drawn to painting as a way to express feelings, memories and stories she couldn’t easily put into words.

“Painting was a language of its own,” she says. “One that allowed me to express with remarkable honesty.”That deeply personal journey has since evolved into an acclaimed artistic career spanning decades, with solo exhibitions in India and abroad.

A landmark moment came in 1997 with her exhibition at Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery, which brought her work to wider national attention.

Ali’s paintings often reflect her coastal upbringing and inner emotional landscapes, resonating with viewers for their honesty and depth. Her story also highlights how art can become a powerful tool for neurodivergent individuals to communicate and connect.

She continues to paint and exhibit, mentoring young artists who face learning differences.