About The Artist
Islamic Fine Artist, Calligrapher, Educator and Project Curator
Her passion lies in bringing peace to the viewer and a deeper sense of connection with the Divine. It is this ethos which led her to branch out into curation and project management.
Her first project In Praise was received with much admiration and ignited an awareness for Islamic art in Leicester. She is now working on her second project, Illuminate and hopes to exhibit the works toward the end of this year.
History
As a child and teenager, I had numerous opportunities to explore my creativity. My mum, a creative herself, always put great emphasis on
trying new things. We were always lucky to be enrolled onto local workshops, be it henna patterns, flower arranging or fruit carving. Baking and jewellery making were other creative pursuits I enjoyed in my early years.
As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to spend some years at a Darul Uloom in South Africa, where I had my first encounter with ArabicCalligraphy. This introduction to the beautiful art form remained with me as I would continue to practice Naskh in my free time.
2016
As the years went by and I got married, and had my 3 beautiful children, most of my days were spent focusing on raising them. It was only later, when my world was torn apart by the loss of my dear sister, in 2016, that I turned to Art and creativity for self-healing.
I immersed myself into the world of Calligraphy, as I started practicing again for mindfulness. I enrolled onto a course in Naskh and Thuluth Calligraphy, relearning the basics online. You see, my days were still filled with caring for Ahmad, who at birth was diagnosed with multiple learning and physical disabilities.
2018
The skills I learnt from my first course filled me with a yearning for more, so I enrolled into a Summer Intensive in London with Art of Islamic Pattern, and I found the workshops to be incredibly educational. I gained confidence and a first-hand appreciation in constructing Islamic Geometric Patterns. I also learnt how to make shell gold, and how to gild using transfer leaf. Being in an in-person class, and observing how a compass and straight-edge were used practically, greatly improved my skills. It enabled me to access the traditional methods of pattern construction. Later on, these experiences helped when I continued to explore Geometric Patterns online. Through this experience, I gained insight into Geometry, Illumination and Art from the Islamic Lands. My curiosity grew, and as a result, I enrolled onto even more courses.
I started my creative business in 2018, as I began selling bookmarks, magnets and keyrings on Etsy. I enrolled into a local mentoring programme, where I learnt more on how to set up a website, among other business skills.
My creative practice has always been deeply inspired and informed by religious influences. By contemplating on, and drawing inspiration from
Holy Verses and teachings from the Hadith, I embraced a storytelling mixed-media style, which aimed at inviting the viewer to engage with the Art.
Till date, every piece of Art I work on, is connected to a deeper spiritual force. The aim of my work has always been to enhance the relationship between Creator and Creation, and to explore Islam through the lens of creativity. By honing my art practice in this way, one of my key “why’s” is to use my skill as a medium for Da’wah and in doing so, invite the
viewer to learn more about Islam.
2020
The Huroof Series is one of my most appreciated collections. During this time, I undertook the use of 24k gold transfer leaf on a raised surface
of gold size. The journey itself was challenging, as I had taken the plunge and committed to using a technique which I had little experience with.
Initially I had a few teething problems, but with bit of practice, overcame them. One of the joys which thoroughly brought me fulfilment, was learning the hidden spiritual meanings behind each letter, and making this knowledge accessible to others. This collection was inspired by the materials I had at hand. I had just invested in a set of hand ground pigments, sourced from India, and a batch of handmade Khaadi paper. I had fallen in love with the deckled edges of this paper, and thus decided to use it for something special.
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process as I sized and burnished the paper for the first time ever, following online tutorials. I was extremely nervous
at first, as I wasn’t sure how the paper would behave, but as with all new experiences, took delight in the journey itself. This collection marked a significant turning point in my art practice, as I began focusing on traditional techniques.
The tumultous time of COVID, led to enrollment onto even more courses. I delved into the world of Surface Pattern Design, and learned how to master the software Adobe Illustrator. This led to the launch of a line of Colouring Books, self-published and inspired by my Huroof Series collection.
2021
In 2021, I curated and produced an exhibition locally in Leicester.
In Praise Exhibition came about very organically. At this point I had no formal plans in Curating or Producing a show. The opportunity landed in my lap so to speak. After my artwork Inhale and Exhale were exhibited at a local Art Gallery, conversations with the owner led to the prospect of having a space
available to host a show.
I was previously greatly inspired by Manifesting the Unseen, which took place in London a short while back, which I had the pleasure of visiting. I got in touch with its Curator, who was very generous with advice and guidance. I put in a bid for some funding from Arts Council England, which I was successful in securing. One thing led to another, and I was extremely privileged to bring the first Islamic Art Exhibition to the Leicester Art scene.
The main driving force was a yearning to share my work, and to collaborate with my peers, engaging with our communities and bringing awareness and
validation to the work which we were creating.
My hope is to make Islamic Art more mainstream. To cultivate conversations
and to elevate the beauty which is found within these artworks. And to provide a platform for Islamic Art Practitioners to come together and engage.
2022
I continued my learning journey, by enrolling onto more classes. This year I continued my journey in learning Maghrebi Script under the guidance of Ustaad Badr Essaihi.
I gained an introduction to Sini (Chinese) Calligraphy with Master Calligrapher Haji Noor Deen.
I started my journey in Turkish Illumination, under the guidance of Master Illuminator Ayten Tiryaki.
I completed a Domestika course by Joumana Medlej, in Kufi Mushafi.
I completed Maaida Noor's course in Maghrebi Mabsoot.
2023
A self, confessed course junkie, I continue to curate my education in Islamic Fine Art, among other creative pursuits. I joined a pottery studio, and fell in love with ceramics. I can't wait to see how I can incorporate them in my future works.
I completed a course with Ustaad Fouad Blili in Maghrebi Zakhrafa Illumination Art.
I joined Ange Miller's Abstract Refinery Program.
2024
Alhamdulillah, I have been awarded funding for a new Arts and Culture Project, which will be taking place this year from April-October. The
name of the project is “Illuminate’, and it explores depression, anxiety, and the healing power of Art from, but not exclusively, an Islamic perspective.
In addition to this, I am continuing my journey in Maghrebi Andalusi Script.
I undertook learning the Spencerian Script of English Calligraphy with Younghae Chung.
I also completed Making Art Work with Emily Jeffords.