Ayesha Ahmad

Ayesha Ahmad comes from a childhood of variety…British born, a child of Pakistani migrants, grown up in various parts of the Middle East, educated in a number of international schools, with no settled roots. This has inevitably led to diversity of heritage, connections and thought on Ayesha’s personal identity, and is reflected in her artwork.

She draws the bulk of her influence from Islam’s reverence of nature, and her personal affinity with earth: natural textures, flora, seasons and the intricacies of it all. She is greatly inspired by the traditions and aesthetics which she grew up amidst, seeking to amalgamate all her cultural backgrounds against a backdrop of her Islamic choice of life.

She is interested in portraying Qur’anic verses dealing with the natural
world…

matters of juxtaposition and fusion of ‘old’ and ‘new’ worlds…

outer diasporas and inner changes…

serenity and solitude of visual and spiritual space…
festivity and gratitude…

identity in the modern world…

One principle which Ayesha applies to her work is the pursuit of using materials and techniques of classical Islamic art (such as the plants from which dyes and paints were derived) and applying them in new contexts. Incorporating Arabic script, geometry and arabesque pattern work, is a continuation of the same classical traditions, but set in new contexts they resonate a different and unique aura. She aims to re-dress Islamic art as not simply the obvious glorification of Allah, but also making it relevant to the modern experience and identity. The world is a small place and influences are cross continental on God’s earth

Ayesha uses organic and natural powder mediums to create ‘earthy’ textures and also vegetable/ plant dyes which she extracts and treats, most frequently using henna powder in its various colours. Sometimes they turn out like parched earth, other times grainy or leathery. Often she enhances their colours with botanical dyes such as beetroot, rose or cabbage extracts, and then decorates them with henna patterns in the spirit of celebration.

‘Here, Up and Beyond’ was an idea conceived to show how for many Muslims, their day to day existence is an experience of connection with the Divine. In a time when Muslim dynamics have been hijacked by political aggression, terrorism and media impositions, Ayesha would like to share her voice with you…
Enjoy the work.