AZIZA ESSA'S FORTHCOMING EXHIBTIONS

Aziza has a new exhibition coming up in November. It's a collection of islamic art entitled "bismillah" at the Sultan Gallery, Brock Street, Lancaster, LA1 1UU from 1st November - 31st January 2007.
Opening times Sundays to Thursday 10am -5pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am - 10pm.

Bism'illahi' r-rahmani'r-rahim

Vibrancy of colour and texture, vivid juxtapositions of form and medium, striking uses of shape both fluid and rigid, are all utilised by this self-taught artist. Aziza Essa expresses in her work an honesty about her experience of the world and particularly her internal experience; her emotional journeys, joys and turmoils of life.

Central also to her creative experience is her spiritual experience. "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful" marks the beginning of all but 1 of the 114 Surahs of the Qur'an. Muslims recite this phrase before any significant endeavor, and Aziza chose the holy phrase as the name of this exhibition. The message of the Qur'an, originally spread by poetic recitation, was later recorded in beautiful calligraphy. Over the ages the art of Islamic calligraphy has been nurtured further, and Aziza was so inspired by it that she has incorporated it into her work.