Portfolio
Fifteen Years of Islam, 2022
Acrylic and graphite on Canvas
24” x 18” x 1.5”
Original Painting
Description: This painting was commissioned by a client in celebration of his 15 years of being a Muslim. The focal point of this work is the Kaaba, due to its major significance in Islam, with the Shahadah written on its Kiswah. Behind the Kaaba, appear the constellations that were in the night sky on the night that he converted. Finally, the crowd gathered around the Kaaba represent the Muslim community he joined and became a part of on that day. Among this crowd (above the date he converted) is a depiction of him, his wife, and their daughter to honour their little Muslim family.
The Farewell Pilgrimage, 2022
Mixed media on wood panel
30” x 30” x 2”
Original Sculpture
Description: This work offers a glimpse into the first and final pilgrimage Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed before his passing. A minimalistic style was used to depict the order, unity, and tranquility found in visiting the House of God, and to exhibit God's greatness and our insignificance. Viewers are invited to interact with this piece and aid the pilgrims in performing Tawaf by moving the spheres in a counterclockwise direction around the Kaaba. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretation(s) of this work.
Beautiful Patience, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 24” x 1.5”
Original Painting
Description: This minimal, monochromatic work depicts a repeating pattern of textured butterflies with the following verse from the Holy Quran written in Arabic:
فَاصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِيلً
“and be patient with a beautiful patience” (Quran 70:5)
Butterflies were used to symbolize both beauty and patience as butterflies begin as caterpillars which struggle as they transform into these beautiful creatures. The verse is also repeated three times within the painting to emphasize the importance of patience, a great virtue in Islam. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretation(s) of this work.
Paired Hearts, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
36” x 24” x 1.5”
Original Painting
Description: This minimal, monochromatic work depicts a repeating pattern of textured hearts with the following part of the verse from the Holy Quran written in Arabic:
وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً
“And He has placed between you compassion and mercy.” (Quran 30:21)
Hearts were used to symbolize the love and compassion that is shared between spouses. The verse is also repeated six times within the painting in order to emphasize the importance of compassion and mercy within a marriage in Islam. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretation(s) of this work.
Mindful, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 36” x 1.5”
Original Painting
Description: This work depicts a single line, symbolizing one’s thoughts spiralling in distress, beginning in the upper right corner and moving throughout the piece to end at the bottom left corner with the Arabic phrase “Alhamdulillah” or “Praise be to God”. This work represents the solace one finds in the remembrance of God and the power of gratitude. Viewers are encouraged to interact with this piece by gently running their fingers over the textured line while repeatedly saying “Alhamdulillah” as a form of Islamic mindfulness or meditation exercise. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretation(s) of this work.
Muslim, 2022
Mixed media on Canvas
24” x 18” x 1.5”
Original Paintings (set)
Description: This set is a minimal, textured, all-white monochromatic depiction of a Muslim man and woman dressed in traditional Islamic clothing that is typically worn to Haj or Umrah. A minimalist style was used to emphasize the importance of one’s piety and righteousness in Islam as oppose to one’s appearance and race, as it is mentioned in the Holy Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran 49:13)
In addition, the thick texture used to hide the facial features of both the man and woman allows for an open interpretation of them as parents, a couple, siblings, or even strangers who are brother and sister in Islam. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretations of this work.
Wavering Hearts, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 24” x 1.5”
Original Painting
Description: This minimal, monochromatic work depicts a repeating pattern of textured hearts with the following verse from the Holy Quran written in Arabic:
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
[آل عمران: ٨]
"Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower."
[Quran 3:8]
Hearts were used in this work to symbolize that the true status of our faith lies deep within our hearts, where no one else can see except for Allah (swt). In addition, the use of hearts aims to emphasize the importance of self-reflection of our intentions and behaviours as we will continue to be tested by Allah (swt). The title of this work, “Wavering Hearts”, is a play on words for how the hearts shimmer and reflect light differently when one passes by, creating the illusion of movement or "wavering“ motion. May our hearts remain steadfast and not waver. As always, viewers are welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretation(s) of this work.
Bayn Al-Haramayn (Between the Two Shrines), 2023
Mixed media on wood panel
49" x 31" x 2"
Original Sculpture
Description: This work offers a minimal depiction of pilgrims visiting the Holy Shrines of Imam Hussain (as) and Abu Fadhl Abbas (as) during Arbaeen, the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering. A monochromatic use of the color black represents the overarching feeling of sadness and mourning of the lovers of Imam Hussain (as) for the events that took place on the day of Ashura. Viewers are invited to interact with this piece and aid the pilgrims in moving between both shrines. Viewers are also welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretations of this work.
The Eternal, 2024
Acrylic and graphite on Canvas
32" (diameter) x 1.5" (depth)
Original Painting
Description: This work depicts plant Earth at its centre with the following verses from the Holy Quran repeatedly written around it: كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍۢ وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو ٱلْجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامِ [الرحمن:٢٦-٢٧] "Everyone on Earth will perish, all that remains is the face of your Lord, full of majesty and bestowing honour" [Quran 55:26-27]. Viewers are welcome to develop and discuss their own interpretations of this work.