About the Artist
“My art focusses on exploring, dreaming and discovering the world around us, educating ourselves with inner insights enlightened with natural perspectives, to enable a holistic art experience. The insight between nature, faith and humanity is a life-long discovery. Our perceptions of the natural world and our role within it, are interesting concepts to explore.”
Anum has her artwork showcased globally from SAAC's Art in Public Places “Winter Showcase 2021”, Mississippi, USA, to Curating Futures “(Im)material”, Yorkshire, England and the VA Art Exhibition, Massachusetts, USA amongst other international exhibitions. She has been featured in the .Art documentary on The Healing Powers of Art, which premiered at the American Alliance of Museums.
Her work has garnered international attention, and she has been interviewed for publications in culture capitals such as Venice, London, Dubai, Ontario, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Casablanca and Berlin. Her art is a reflection of her unique perspective and creative vision, capturing the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
She was selected as a Tate Online Artist in 2012, and was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Mayor of Enfield in 2002. In 2022, she was longlisted for the Digital Innovation in Art Award, and has recently been recognized for Exceptional Merit in the 4th edition of the Global Talent Art Prize, alongside 2023 Artistic Excellence Award from Circle Foundation for the Arts in Greece, amongst other achievements.
Anum’s artwork is displayed on dedicated art channels and streamed across major platforms including Apple TV Plus, Samsung TV Plus, VIZIO, ViX, Google Play, Xumo and LG TV amongst others as a Loupe Artist, as well as her artwork being showcased internationally.
Art Philosophy
Artist Statement and Inspiration
My interest in exploring the relationship between Science and Art stems from my background in Biochemistry, as well as utilizing pedagogical approaches in combining these disciplines via cross curricular links. I utilize the stages of observation and experimentation from the Scientific method, in my approach to Art, for instance I observe the natural world around us, whether that be the shape of a leaf, patterns in the waves and rocks, colours in the cloud formations to the shape and texture of the tree branches and so on. Then, I experiment with distilling these themes into the abstract paintings or I simply photograph the biology of life with links to human insights and emotions.
SERIES: THE ART OF CARDIOLOGY
The Vessels of Life (Oil on Canvas, circa 2022)
Inspired by the blood vessels; arteries carry blood away from the heart, and veins carry blood back towards the heart. The capillaries are the smallest blood vessels that connect arteries and veins.
In the process delivering oxygen and removing waste products, a transport system within us. Similarly, as the process of cleansing, purifying, delivering oxygen and nutrients occurs physically within us.
Blood vessels contain constant movement, like ourselves we are constantly moving and struggling within ourselves, as well as the planet to be cleansed and nourished. This is the meaning behind this painting titled 'The Vessels of Life'
SERIES 3: DISCOVERY
The Flower in the Heart (Oil on Canvas, circa 2022)
Roots or blood vessels flowing with life, journey of flowers encased in a beating heart. The green represents the budding of destiny, the protective shell wearing away as with time plants grow. Similarly, we discover through our life experiences our hearts become more aware and compassionate through the journey of life, becoming rooted in poignant destiny and miracles.
A link to the environment through the roots, just as humans we need blood vessels, our Earth needs roots.
Sanctuary (Oil on Canvas, circa 2021)
Oftentimes we look for a sanctuary to heal, to become whole, to answer our calling. In saving ourselves, we gain the courage to save others. This painting is about holistic healing; the warm, homely hues a calling to the soul towards calm and kind healing. The underlying tones of Sienna; reminiscent of a time of quiet discovery through nature and colour. In exploring the world around us, in finding a sanctuary, in looking inwards to complete ourselves...we begin the journey to heal the world around us
The Meditation (Mixed Media, circa 2021)
Inspired by the sky and the sea, a meditation on the clouds and the waves beneath them. In search of a tranquillity and harmony, through an everyday journey in nature.
Hope (Oil on Canvas, circa 2021)
A bright juxtaposition of colours and texture to bring towards hope in the zest of life. An almost pull towards living hopefully and overcoming it all.
Certainty (Oil on Canvas, circa 2011)
We are all on a journey, with challenges and miracles yet certainty that destiny and truth will triumph. Patterns in nature show clear evidence of light overcoming darkness, rain from the clouds cleansing, nourishing and healing the Earth. Vulnerable saplings blooming with time, subtle droplets of water bringing forth strong roots and natural justice.
Calm Endurance (Acrylic on Canvas, circa 2011)
Sometimes a moment inspires us for life. Learning to climb mountains in memory of the days gone by, to endure and build an ocean of calmness, to conquer our own hearts and minds. To have a subtle understanding of the unspoken, poignant threads of time, courage and care. The philosophical mountains of life, mere signposts for another realm of eternity.
The Bridge of Faith (Mixed Media, circa 2011)
Mixed media thoughts of a bridge - how often have we had a leap of faith? How strong is our trust in God? Rather than knocking down each others bridges, perhaps we need to examine our own bridges of faith - can they carry us through.
SERIES: CONQUERING THE HIATUS
Roots of Courage (Gouache on Canvas, circa 2021)
Finding courage and achieving our dreams, despite the turbulence of time and events. That there is diversity in humanity, yet our roots are interconnected. That despite the ever changing times, we can stand with courage and integrity, towards a brighter horizon of hopes and dreams.
Authentic Photography
The photography is very simple and raw. Whether it's a blurry ray of sunshine, or a grainy walk in the forest, or a wholesome plate of comforting food. Moments of life and time in their elementary forms, to remind us that we are still on our journey of inspiration, art and between two worlds...
OBSERVING MOMENTS OF LIFE, ESSENCES OF TIME IN AUTHENTICITY
Light Movements Series
Photographs capturing moments of light from around the world. Sometimes the photographs have been taken whilst travelling, so they are blurry and slightly grainy. This adds to their authenticity in being a part of life. A conscious decision to avoid a capture of “perfect” shots, because often light comes in to our lives in our moments of brokenness. This working collection is related to that raw, authentic movement of light into human lives around the world, in poignant moments of destiny.
The Tone of Exploration
The Mix of Life
An exploration of colour, destiny and intuition. This is the starting point for the canvas to embark on the journey of transformation and representation. The colours lead the artistic interpretation of what the eyes behold.
Cotton
I am fascinated by cotton, by its timeless elegance and versatility in protecting the human from the elements of weather and time. It is both an adornment of life and a shroud for the journey to the hereafter.
Zephyr Nostalgia
This is an exploration of sound and colour. One of my most favourite sounds is hearing laughter in the wind. It evokes a distant memory of running with and against the wind, as a child hands outstretched, and bursting into peals of laughter at the simple joy of it.