Kuwait-born Hamra Abbas, who grew up in Pakistan, draws inspiration from the 17th-century fresco paintings of Lahore and the contemporary wall-works of Sol LeWitt to represent fictional gardens and waterfalls in her inlayed marble sculptures at Karachi’s Canvas Gallery, which is also participating in the Bawwaba section of the fair. Her Gardens of Paradise series portrays realistic renderings of lush flowers and plants from Mughal gardens, while her Waterfalls works interpret the serenity of the falls in abstract patterns.

Constructed entirely by hand, Abbas’ art revives the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. It’s known as “parchinkari” in India, where it was famously employed in the making of the Taj Mahal, and pietra dura in Italy, where it dates back to Roman times. Working with 17 chosen colors—ranging from black to white—Abbas makes the ancient technique vital again, creating dreamlike imagery that speaks to the moment while connecting us to the past.

Art Dubai runs through March 23.