Trained in the discipline of Persian manuscript painting, Ali is inspired by his rich cultural heritage in the creation of introspective, jewel-like paintings that convey the complex history of this region. Eclectically rich in iconography drawn from Eastern and Western art histories, Ali's work provocatively engages with ideas of social and religious prejudice and its effect on the way history is written and remembered, particularly in times of war.

Khadim Ali completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Miniature Painting) at the National School of Art, Lahore, Pakistan, in 2003, and has exhibited widely in Pakistan, as well as in Iran, Japan and Afghanistan.