In Praise Exhibition
This year I had the honour of managing a project which has been brewing in my mind for some time. I had the pleasure of curating my first ever exhibition, featuring not only my own works, but the works of 9 other Muslim Women Artists. Below you can read about it in the press release which was published by the likes of BBC News, Leicester Mercury and The National News UK. 
Leicester’s first exhibition dedicated to art by Muslim women
Date: 16th March 2022
LEICESTER’S first art exhibition dedicated to the work of emerging Muslim female artists has been launched in the city centre.
The In Praise exhibition, featuring 10 artists, aims to showcase underrepresented artists while providing an opportunity for the local community to engage with, and have an awareness of a wide range of contemporary Islamic art. The work being exhibited ranges from Arabic calligraphy, Islamic geometry, embroidery, textile work, traditional Arabeque and abstract styles.
For the duration of the exhibition at Belvoir Art Gallery, Belvoir Street, Leicester, talks and workshops are being provided for children and adults to maximise the amount of people who can benefit from the project. And on Saturday 19th March there will be a Poetry and Open Mic event featuring local creatives.
In Praise was the idea of Leicester artist and Curator Shazia Osman, who chose some of the artists who face barriers in accessing and furthering their careers in art, She herself is a full-time carer to her autistic son, and as such can empathise with others facing difficulties in this field.
Shazia said: “My aim was to bring awareness and appreciation of contemporary Islamic art to the Leicester art scene, whilst representing the women who create it. This is the first ever art exhibition in Leicester dedicated to the art by Muslim women artists.
It is a genre inspired by historical artefacts, building on traditional techniques, yet incorporating a contemporary feel to the art. My vision is to break down barriers, and normalise the celebration of such artists and their work by allowing them to access different audiences.
Is it also, to provide a space where the general public can engage with traditional and contemporary Islamic Art, allowing them to learn more about this rich cultural form of expression.”
The exhibition runs until Saturday 26th March.
Learn more about the event or book onto one of the workshops or free demonstrations by visiting: https://inpraiseexhibition.wordpress.com/
Follow updates via Instagram @Inpraiseexhibition
