Gallery

Kaleidoscope I

Mixed media on card (2017)

The Kaleidoscope collection

ABOUT: Inspired by the continuous changes, variation and fluctuation of emotion, life is very much like a Kaleidoscope; the constant shift and movement of patterns and colours depicting moments we experience in our lives. Moments of happiness, sorrow, peace joy, pain, love, loss, excitement, fear and so on……How we react to these moments define and shape our thinking, our behaviour and even our character.

Illustrating the ‘positive aspect’ of these experiences, I wanted to depict strong, bold, vibrant images in the form of shapes and patterns that essentially dominate and take over the entire composition. Along with colour (which indeed has a significant effect and impact on our emotions), it is the various properties and characteristics that each colour and combination of colours carry, that I have tried to evoke in my works.

Kaleidoscope II

Kaleidoscope II

Mixed media on card (2017)

Kaleidoscope III

Kaleidoscope III

Mixed media on card (2017)

Kaleidoscope IV

Kaleidoscope IV

Mixed media on card (2017)

Mosques, Minarets and Domes I

Mosques, Minarets and Domes Collection

‘Mosques, Minarets and Domes’ is a commemoration and a reflection of my own cultural and religious identity.

The Mosque; a very powerful and universal symbol in Islamic tradition, is primarily a place of worship. It is also a place for learning, for meetings, for gatherings, for helping and supporting the needy; in general, for various other means of spiritual growth, support, development and so on. It is a true source of inspiration not just for its purpose (as well as its use) but for its exquisite design and architectural features that dominate various skylines across the world.
This series of works is a celebration of these traditional features. Using strong geometric and free-flowing line to form various shapes and pattern as well as the use of strong bold and vivid colours, I hope to evoke a sense of vibrancy, well-being, contentment and tranquillity; feelings that are reminiscent of my own Islamic and cultural heritage.

Mosques, Minarets and Domes I

Mixed Media on Card. (Aug 2016)

The Kaleidoscope collection

Inspired by the continuous changes, variation and fluctuation of emotion, life is very much like a Kaleidoscope; the constant shift and movement of patterns and colours depicting moments we experience in our lives. Moments of happiness, sorrow, peace joy, pain, love, loss, excitement, fear and so on……How we react to these moments define and shape our thinking, our behaviour and even our character.

Mosques, Minarets and Domes II

Mosques Minarets and Domes II

Acrylic on Canvas. 76cm x 112cm. Dec 2017

Shapes, Patterns and Colours I

Shapes, Patterns and Colours collection

Inspired by the continuous and endless arrangement of shapes pattern and colours, I love the freedom to explore and experiment to create an infinite and range of possibilities, combinations and qualities! The freedom to express the variety of these arrangements is where I find my passion, my vision and my motivation.

This series of works reflects a different play on shapes where there is much more thought in the general layout and composition as opposed to the instinctive and intuitive manner in which I paint. Working more towards a structured approach, lines and forms (in general) tend to be more geometric, symmetrical and composed. Thinking about each element in the composition, I paint ensuring the concept of balance and a sense of equilibrium is echoed throughout.

Shapes, Patterns and Colours I

Acrylic on Canvas. (40.5cm x41cm). Dec 2020.

Festival I

Festival Collection

‘Festival I’ was my very first piece of work created at a time when I felt a little ‘disillusioned and dis-engaged’ with my own Artwork. I remember (at the time), I wasn’t happy with what I was producing, not knowing who I was as an ‘artist’ and where I was heading. I found myself ‘searching;’ wanting a strong desire to change the direction I was going with my Art. This led me on a journey of ‘self discovery, motivation, inspiration and experimentation! This piece of work, was the product and result of this moment in time. It was, (and remains to be) a constant reminder of my feelings; and the sheer motivation and determination not to give up!

Works that followed in this collection were a result of developing my ideas, moving forwards and continuously growing . Feeling much more content and re assured with where I wanted to go with my paintings and the style I was motivated and inspired towards, I felt happier! Shapes pattern and colour played an important aspect and it was in these areas I felt where I belonged!

Festival I

Festival I – Acrylic on canvas. (2015)

Festival II

Detailed / close up aspect

Festival II

Festival II – Acrylic on Canvas. 90cm x 90cm. (2015)

Festival III

Detailed / close up aspect

Festival III

Festival III – Acrylic on canvas. 100cm x 30cm (2016)

God is the Greatest!

Attributes of God’ Collection

God (or Allah in the Arabic language) exceeds and even surpasses what anyone could ever imagine him to be! His attributes, qualities and characteristics are many: He is loving, compassionate, merciful, kind, just, all knowing, majestic and powerful. The list is endless! He is essentially everything beautiful and magnificent that one can ever imagine transcending all limits and boundaries!
This series of works explores these many attributes. It is in essence, a celebration and (in a way), a form of worship to be able to honour these attributes in the form of a work of Art!

God is the Greatest!

Acrylic on canvas material (unstretched). 29.5cm x 42cm. July 2016

Alhamdulilla (Praising God)

Alhamdulilla (Praising God)

Acrylic on canvas. May 2016
30cm x 40cm

Metamorphosis I

The Metamorphosis Collection

This collection (named by an acquaintance) takes its inspiration from ‘The circle of life’ – (A title that I initially called this series of works).

The circle of life (or Metamorphosis) is about change. Its about various stages of growth, development, movement and progression: We are born, we grow, we develop, we progress going through different stages of our lives from birth to adulthood. With all of life’s changes, brings experiences of various kinds; moments of happiness, excitement, pleasure, gratitude, love and peace to moments of sadness, fear, hurt, pain and depression. The list goes on with endless types of emotion represented and reflected. How we handle our emotions influences our behaviour. How we chose to react affects it.

In this series of works, the circle (representing the circle of life) is the dominant and focul point of the composition. Every other shape evolves around it (not as significant and prominent), moving, developing, encircling, connecting and linking together; the principle of change represented by the connection of different shapes being linked together, but altering or changing as we move along the composition. Colours reflected are mostly those that belong together; shades, tones and hues of the same colour. My main aim is to evoke a sense of harmony, balance and equilibrium and to reflect and represent the possibility of positive change in our characters as we progress, develop, move and grow in the circle of our own lives.

Metamorphosis I

Acrylic on canvas. (70cm x 50cm). Dec 2020.

Metamorphosis II

Metamorphosis II

Acrylic on canvas. 61cm x 61cm. Jan 2021

Building Bridges I

'Building Bridges' Collection.

‘Building Bridges’ Collection. (Ongoing series of works).
Love and compassion for the sake of creating a better world, a better future is paramount if there is to be peace between people of different nations and different communities. Irrespective of race, colour, religion, gender, culture and status, everyone’s life is sacred and everyone’s life matters.
One of the greatest men that ever lived in history: Muhammad (PBUH), established justice and equality for all centuries ago. In his final sermonin the year 632 (AH), he mentioned:
“…An Arab has no superiority over a non Arab nor a non Arab has any superiority over an Arab…” that ALL human beings are equal in the sight of God “…except by piety and good action…”
Perhaps we can all learn from the greatest leaders of our past.

Building Bridges I

Mixed Media on card. 28.5cm x 41cm.

And Allah will judge with justice and truth…

And Allah will judge with justice and truth…

Acrylic on canvas. 30cm x 60cm
(Jan 2017)

Flora and Fauna I

The Flora and Fauna Collection

The Flora and Fauna Collection. (Ongoing series of works).
Influenced by line in its purest forms, these series of works are a celebration of lines that remind me of nature; unspoilt, graceful, free from human intervention and natural!

Inspired by free-flowing movement, lines merge and connect, link as well as unite creating various forms of shapes and pattern; stylistic and elegant; harmonious and elaborate. Together with the use of colour, I try to create a sense of balance and uniformity, as I paint in an instinctive and an intuitive manner.

Floral and Fauna I

Acrylic on card.

(2018)

Flora and Fauna II

Floral and Fauna II

Acrylic on card.

(2018)

Flora and Fauna

Floral and Fauna!

About: ‘Floral and Fauna’ initially part of the ‘Flora and Fauna’ series of works, was re-named as a result of a spelling error when writing its description! However, I decided to keep the error simply because it was a reminder that there is no such thing as ‘perfection’ and its completely ok and even acceptable to make mistakes! After all, how does one learn if these imperfections, mistakes and errors are not made in the first place? Does it not drive you to do better? To work harder? To motivate and inspire you more? I think so! So I decided to keep the title with the error and continue to call it what it was!

Floral and Fauna

Acrylic on card.

(2018)

The ‘Bismillah’ collection

The ‘Bismillah’ collection – (First in a series of ongoing works).

Using the Arabic script in my Artwork is a particularly important feature and characteristic simply because of my Islamic and cultural identity. The Arabic language is central to Islamic belief because it is the language of the Quran and that of prayer. It therefore plays a vital and fundamental role in the work I produce; something that is a part of me; my beliefs, my way of life; my culture and my traditions. In addition, just as I use paint as a medium of expression in my art, similarly this is indeed, how I use the Arabic script. It is a means to convey my Islamic and cultural background; my spiritual connection with God and in general, how I perceive my identity.

Beginning our actions with the remembrance of God is a significant aspect and feature unique to Islamic tradition. ‘Bismillah’ (transliterated in the Arabic language) is a powerful phrase meaning ‘In the name of God…’ In its completed form, ‘Bismillah ir rahman ir raheem’ implies ‘In the name of God, most gracious, most compassionate’.

Bismillah I

Bismillah I

Acrylic on Canvas.
90cm x 90cm. Nov 2020

‘Allah’ (or God) collection

‘Allah’ (or God) collection – (On-going series of works).
Who is God?
Chapter 112 – (or surah Ikhlas in the Quran) mentions:
“…he is Allah, the one. He is eternal and absolute. None is born of him, nor is he born. And there is no other like him.”
This verse in the Quran informs us that God is ONE. We cannot attribute any human characteristic or quality to him, that he can ever ‘father’ any child. He is above and beyond what anyone can ever imagine him to be and as a result CANNOT be born; that he does not have a beginning or an end; that he is eternal, existing forever, and that there is no one or nothing that can ever be compared to him.

Allah I

Allah I

Mixed Media on Card. 38cm x 47.5cm. (Aug 2017).

Allah II

Allah II

Mixed Media on Card. 38cm x 47.5cm.
(Aug 2017).

Allah; Muhammad

Allah; Muhammad

Acrylic on canvas. 50cm x 70cm. (Nov 2017).

Piccadilly circus

Piccadilly Circus, takes its inspiration from the following quote by Aristotle: ‘The aim of Art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance…’ Every artist has their own way of interpreting the world around them and expressing this in their Art. For me, I see the world as a series of shapes, colours and patterns which are very often painted instinctively and intuitively. Whatever I feel at a particular moment in time is very often represented and expressed. After I finished this piece of work, The word ‘busy’ came to mind! Hence the name ‘Piccadilly circus!’

Piccadilly circus