Why Art?
Some journeys have many beginnings. Perhaps for me, there were several beginnings that merged on this path that I am blessed with today.
I spent some time studying and training in Cairo, Egypt. There, I was drawn to the rich tapestry of Islamic art, including the physical and symbolic beauty of Islamic architecture. I studied with Prof. Georges Fikry at the Kulliyya al-Funun (Faculty of Arts at Helwan University) to learn the painting of Islamic architecture and monuments through various perspectives and mediums such as pastels, acrylics, charcoal, watercolours, and mixed media that led to a collection of artworks which were featured in later volumes in the series on Fatimi masjids, Al-Aqmar: A Living Testimony to the Fatemieen , Al- Juyushi: a vision of the Fatemiyeen, and Al-Jami’al Anwar: The Luminous Masjid.
As Prophet Mohammed SAW said, “Allah loves a skilled craftsperson; the more skilled they are, the closer they grow to their Creator.” Similarly, Imam Ali b. Abi Talib AS elevates the value of skilled craft by stating that “A person’s craft is their treasure.”
For me then, it was in the study of Islamic arts that I found my treasure.
My inspiration and technique
I am passionate about biomorphic and geometric patterns found in Islamic architecture. I find my inspiration in facades, medallions, stucco grilles, bands, mihrabs, domes, minarets, and Kufic inscriptions especially within the monumental Jami masjids of al-Anwar, al-Aqmar, al Azhar, al-Juyushi, al-Lulua, as well as in wooden panels and artefacts. My style attempts to infuse the visual appeal of the arts and architecture of the Fatimid era with a deeper understanding of the Islamic philosophy that underpins this tradition.
Once inspiration strikes, I cannot wait to put brush to canvas! I blend the rigour of traditional methods such as geometric reconstruction and tazheeb (Islamic illumination) with the fluidity of watercolours. This has given birth to what I feel is my signature style–a style that is anchored to a gravitational centre, where the heart beats with love, yet provides the courage to experiment, grow, learn, explore, and finally return to its origin. Watercolour is my medium of choice. Whenever the brush unloads water and pigment on paper, the three materials interact in unusual, often unpredictable ways. This gives each brushstroke an element of mystery and surprise as the paper shines through the water and the pigment to create translucent paintings. I splash my paper with vibrant shades of blues, turquoises, aquamarines, greens, jades, corals, creams, and golds as well as the muted neutrals, with my most successful palette so far being the combination of French ultramarine, yellow ochre and burnt sienna.
In addition to paying homage to historical monuments and motifs, I am an ardent admirer of Mother Nature. I love to emulate her forms, by painting landscapes, animals, and birds, while thoroughly enjoying the juxtaposition of their dense corporeal forms with the weightlessness of watercolour. In many ways, my artwork is an exploration of opposites and counterforces—darkness and light; mass and air; stability and flight.
I am based in Mumbai, India and my artwork has been displayed at exhibitions in India, the United States, and East Africa. I see this website and my Instagram page as a continuous means of connecting with art, artists and art aficionados the world over.
More about me
I completed my Master’s in Islamic Jurisprudence from Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, Surat, India (1999). Aljamea’s campuses are built on the principles and designs of Fatimi art and architecture and served as an early source of inspiration.
Thereafter, I received my doctorate in Education (2016) from the University of Bristol, UK that involved immersive field research in the cultural context of the Haraaz region of Yemen. My dissertation focused on identifying the capabilities and aspirations of Haraazi women. The field research revealed that despite material and cultural constraints, capability enhancement, including life skills training, for women could help overcome educational and vocational barriers.
My intellectual journey helped me realise that Art can be a powerful means for the exploration of any culture, as well as an instrument to achieve intercultural understanding. Towards this end, I helped establish RadiantArts, a women-led art platform for Dawoodi Bohra artists which promotes Fatimi-Islamic art and culture, engages artists and fosters inter-cultural bonding.
No gratitude can do justice to the immense encouragement bestowed upon Dawoodi Bohra artists by His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS and Aai Joheratussharaf Aaisaheba DM, who have graced several RadiantArts exhibitions and inspired artists to excel in their craft while adhering to the core values of Fatimi-Islamic traditions.
Join me on my creative trail!