For me, textiles are more than pieces of cloth: they appear in many different forms communicating cultural, religious, social and political history. The meaning of textiles from another culture may not always be immediately understood but the potential is recognised which then creates curiosity.
Air, peace and tranquillity: words that are part of Islam and Islamic Art and Architecture, all influence my work. Although the style, colour and shape of Islamic Art vary, due to the country of its origin, Islamic Art and Architecture in general has a sense of spirituality. I feel peaceful, spiritual and inspired when I enter a mosque or pray. At the same time I am inspired by nature as well as the historical, fine and delicate cotton muslin or silk sarees of Bangladesh. The phrase “ Baf-thana” meaning “ woven air” is used to describe these textiles, which triggers a magical thought within me and inspires me to weave.
Therefore the textiles I weave are more than mere pieces of cloth; for me they represent the sanctity, beauty and serenity of Islam along with nature and are the revival of cultural form and technique.
Currently, I am weaving with fine natural materials: Egyptian cotton, Chinese silk, English merino wool and Japanese yarns. I dye my own colours using both natural and chemical dyes.
For the last five years I have been teaching textile technology as well as art and design. This has led me to research art, craft and design from different cultures through which I have designed schemes of work for teaching natural fibres, fabric construction and hands on creative projects using different materials.
Inspirations, Key Techniques and Materials:
My travels, Islam and Nature, Japanese Kasuri Technique, Bangladeshi Jamdhani technique, Fine Japanese and Chinese Silk, Egyptian Cotton, Merino wool, Spun silk, Gummed Silk
Current Position: Hand-weaver and Textiles Technology/Art and Design Teacher
Education:
1999 - 2000: PGCE in Secondary Art and Design
Institute Of Education, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H OAL
1995 - 1998: BA (Hons) Woven Textiles FIRST CLASS
Surrey Institute of Art and Design, Falkner Rd, Farnham, Surrey GU9
1994 - 1995: Foundation in Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design, Hugon Rd, London SW6
Exhibitions:
Dec.2003-30 th Jan 2004: Crafts / All Set for Christmas
Ropestore- The Studio Gallery, Gloucestershire
September 2003: Maka Textile Collaboration
Como Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
May-Sept. 2003: Summer Show
Livingstone studio, Hamstead, London
Jan - Feb 2003: Designer Crafts 2003, Mall Galleries, London
Jan - March 2003: Yatra- A journey, a collaborative exhibition at the following venues:
Riverhouse, Walton on Thames; Farnham Maltings, Farnham
March - Aug 2002: Best of British Islam Festival 2002
ArRum, London
Jan - Feb 2002: Designer Crafts 2002
Mall Galleries, London
July 2000: PGCE Exhibition with countermarch and weaving demonstration/workshop, Institute Of Education, London
March 1999: Textile Exchange Exhibition
Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Shuri , Japan
January 1999: Society of Designer Craftsman - Annual Winter Exhibition
Mall Galleries, London
October 1998: The Cloth Show - New Designer Award
Business Design Centre, London
Awards:
Awarded MBE for Arts in London 2005
Mar 2004: Alhambra Award for Excellence in art, Muslim News, Uk
Feb 2002: Elected to Full Membership, Society of Designer Craftsmen.
July 1999: Awarded Licentiate with Distinction, Society of Designer Craftsmen.
Invited to exhibit at Annual Winter Exhibition
Aug 1998: New Designer Award, TexPrint 1998
July 1997: The Ella McCloed Award for Best Woven Textile
Professional experience:
27 th-28 th 2004 : Weave Demonstration at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre
19 th Oct 2001 : Lecture on Islamic Art/Architecture and Weaving Workshop
Colwell Arts in Education Centre, Gloucestershire
19 th Jul 2001: Tie-Dye Workshop: WARWICK school, London
May - Aug 1999: Part-time Design Room Assistant, Parry Murray & Co., Surrey
Oct 1998-Sept 1999: Artist in Resident- Quintin Kynaston School, London
4 th Dec 1998: Textile Workshop: Paddington Green Primary School