A Journey of Healing Through Art
“I turned to art not just to create, but to heal.”
My name is Rashida Osman. I’m an Islamic fine artist, calligrapher, educator, and curator. But more than that, I’m someone who has found sanctuary in creativity—especially during life’s most fragile moments.
My roots stretch between British and African heritage, and my work is deeply inspired by the sacred traditions of Islamic art. I specialise in Maghrebi Andalusi calligraphy and illumination—a path I never expected to walk, but one I now tread with devotion.
My Early Inspirations
I remember growing up surrounded by creativity. My mother always encouraged us to try new things—henna designs, fruit carving, flower arranging, baking... There was a rhythm to those days that shaped how I see beauty.
When I was a teenager at a Darul Uloom in South Africa, I encountered Arabic calligraphy for the first time. The Naskh script enchanted me, and I practiced quietly, not knowing this was the seed of something much bigger.
1437 AH (2016) Turning to Art for Healing
In 2016, everything changed. I lost my dear sister. In the silence of grief, I reached for my pen and paintbrush—not to escape, but to breathe. It was also around this time that I was caring for my son Ahmad, who was born with multiple physical and learning disabilities.
Life was full, and fragile. I began studying calligraphy again—Naskh and Thuluth this time—mostly online, during late hours between caregiving and reflection. This wasn’t just practice. It was prayer.
1439 AH - 1441 AH (2018-2020) Growth Through Learning
That thirst for understanding led me to London, to an Art of Islamic Pattern summer intensive. For the first time, I worked with compass and ruler, made my own shell gold, and gilded with trembling hands. I returned home changed.In 2018, I began sharing my work—first small items on Etsy, then launching a website. I explored mixed media, storytelling, and sacred texts. Every piece became an offering—a way to share Islam through creativity, to invite the viewer to feel a spiritual presence through form, line, and gold leaf.
Huroof Series
The Huroof Series (2020) was a milestone. I explored the spiritual meaning of each letter and experimented with 24k gold and handmade Khaadi paper. I didn’t know what I was doing at times, but I loved every mistake.
1442 AH - 1444 AH (2021 - 2023) Community Engagement and Exhibitions
In 2021, after exhibiting my own piece Inhale and Exhale, I found myself curating my first show, In Praise. I was nervous. It was Leicester’s first Islamic art exhibition, and somehow, I was producing it. With support, I secured funding from Arts Council England, gathered a collective of Muslim women artists, and filled a gallery with light.
Why I Create
My work is always rooted in spirituality. Whether it’s through painting, calligraphy, or workshops, I hope to offer a moment of stillness—a way for the viewer to feel closer to the Divine.I believe art is more than visual. It is dhikr, it is therapy, it is invitation. And in every gold line or swirling letter, I hope you find something that touches your soul.With light, Rashida
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