FOUR MUSLIM WOMEN TELL FOUR STORIES AT BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY
By Roslyn Tappenden
22/03/2005
One of Shaheen Ahmed's pieces from the exhibition. Courtesy UlfahArts and Bilston Craft Gallery.
Bilston Craft Gallery and UlfahArts have got together to produce an unusual show by Muslim women. Four Women Four Stories is on display until April 16 2005.
It explores not only different art forms but also the spiritual inspiration of the artists themselves. UlfahArts is a newly formed organisation that specialises in developing female talent.
"This exhibition is the first for Ulfah as we are a new organisation – only been going since September 2004 – and it’s really been encouraging to have the support of Bilston Craft Gallery to put on this exhibition," explained founder, Naz Kozer.
The works on display explore various aspects of Muslim traditions such as beautiful mosques made entirely of sugar.
Left to right: Bint-eh Adam, Sajida Aslam (Outreach and Social Inclusion Officer for Bilston) and Zaitun Pearce. Photo: Bilston Craft Gallery.
"It’s very exciting to see the disbelief when people realise it’s made from sugar," said Zaitun Pearce, the creator of the sculptures.
Other work includes prints by Shaheen Ahmed, who uses a wide range of printmaking techniques to produce her work, including lino and computer-generated printing.
Painter, Anfal Saqib, is exhibiting in the midlands for the first time, while Bint-eh Adam’s Tranquil Art uses various mediums including pressed flowers and glass painting.
Shaheen Ahmed. Courtesy UlfahArts and Bilston Craft Gallery.
"I am excited at this opportunity to work in an all female artist project," said Bint-eh. "I think it is an interesting venture, something new and fresh for lovers of Islamic art to be proud of."
She added: "I think the nature of the project, Four Women Four Stories, is something unique in that it hopes to bring together the story of women by women through art. I am really looking forward to it."
The exhibition at Bilston is intended to reach people who might not normally think about visiting a gallery.
UlfahArts also wants to encourage creative people who are interested to develop their artistic skills to get in touch.
Roslyn Tappenden is the 24 Hour Museum Renaissance Student Writer in the West Midlands region. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
