"I start with a blank piece of paper and simply draw."
I create freehand ink drawings and paintings inspired by patterns found in Asia and the Middle East. I've won international art awards, been featured in Vogue Magazine, exhibited at the V&A, and produced a mindfulness colouring book in the UK and Brazil.
My background I am a self-taught artist based in Manchester. I'm particularly inspired by Asia and the Middle East which coincides with my degree in South Asian Studies and Hindi at SOAS, University of London.
My artwork My Islamic art is traditional but with a twist - I start with a blank piece of paper and simply draw. I do not use the precise methods of ruler and compass, and draw everything freehand.
I like to push boundaries and construct pieces that are contemporary, show construction lines and decay, and depict perspectives that aren't possible to see in reality.
"Think Alice in Wonderland meets the Arabian Nights!"
My methods I travel and collect people's stories along-with ideas from architecture, landscapes, nature, and textiles to feed into my practice. My colour exploration includes researching the history, symbolism, stories, and chemicals of colour, and I forage to create my own pigments from the earth around us.
Documentary This short documentary by Rosebud Film & Video provides a summary of my art practice and inspirations:
