Born in Pakistan, Shemza fused Western abstraction and Islamic motifs after he settled in England. In 'The Wall', he uses the Roman letters B and D to make a calligraphic pattern that reminded him of the marble screens in the Shishmahal of Lahore Fort. Originally painted in 1958, the lower section of this work was repainted between 1960 and 1985.

Shemza was one of the first South Asian artists to settle in the UK. In an interview with the Birmingham Evening Mail he said:

'Of course I knew my Pakistani art heritage, but I had never utilised it. It never occurred to me that I could relate my Pakistani calligraphy and architecture to the painting problems I had. I am much more aware of my own art heritage now than I ever was in Pakistan. You only become aware of the things you lose.'