Zara Asgher finds connection to Finland through forest mushroom drawing

Zara Asgher, a student from Pakistan, has found a sense of belonging in Finland through the country's forests and the study of mushrooms. After arriving in 2021 to study art education and visual research at Aalto University, Asgher initially struggled to integrate due to the isolation caused by the pandemic and the quiet nature of Finnish social interactions.

To connect with her new environment, Asgher has taken up drawing mushrooms. Rather than foraging, she focuses on capturing their unique shapes and colors in her sketchbook. This practice has served two purposes: it allows her to observe the natural surroundings more closely and acts as a social bridge, encouraging locals to approach and converse with her while she works.