 Hafeez
Shaikh
Biography and Statement:
Hafeez is a painter and a graphic artist
who lives in New York. He recently completed a series of 99 paintings
depicting the names of Allah. This is his contribution to making
this a better world after 9-11.
Quote from Allama Iqbal the famous poet:
“All that I can say is that I look upon Art as Subservient to life
and personality. I expressed this view as far back as 1914 in my
Asrar-i-Khudi, and twelve years later in the poem of Zubur-i- Ajam,
wherein I have tried to picture the soul movement of the ideal artist
in whom love reveals itself as a unity of Beauty and Power.
The spiritual health of a people largely depends on the kind of
inspiration which their poet and artists receive.
But inspiration is not a matter of choice. It is a gift of which
cannot be critically judged by the recipient before accepting it.”
He further wrote: “The artist who is blessing to mankind defy life.
He is an associate of God and feels the contact of time and eternity
in his soul. “Mohammed Iqbal, Lahore, 21st July 1928.
(Poet, Great Thinker and enlightened Soul)
My Work Represent 4 Subjects:
Human Feelings, autumn, Flowers and 99 Names of God.
The inspiration right from nature and imagination, no photographs
or any other references used.
(Except the God’s names where I use the original calligraphic text
for reference and for writing
the accurate words without making any alphabetical mistake in Arabic)
Figures:
This is my first work before moving on to other subject, it was
also part of my thesis for BFA finals, it reflect the human suppress
feelings, the most inner feelings, which confronting the hidden
faces, desires, longing and loneliness, It may provoke and confront
other feelings.
(some of these are 4 ft. by 4 ft. on canvas)
Autumn:
These painting are the off shot of my figure work, and other way
to outlet the similar feelings from figure to divert into autumn.
The most beautiful season, during this time the colors and mood
are so vivid and beautiful, it represent the melancholy and deep
emotion, I find a leaf in autumn just like a living being,
Flowers:
After Autumn I couldn’t hold myself for not observing the spring,
overtime I see a new bloom to paint from dogwood to magnolia. They
reflect the joy after winter, if you observe it look like they are
all coming to the ground before the leaves and thanking the God
after the cold bitter winter.
99 Names of God:
These 99 paintings reflects the name of God in arabic, each name
has universal meanings,
These names are sacred and holy and beyond any religion. I use traditional
calligraphy for reference and to be accurate with spelling and rest
with inspiration and paint, I wanted to paint each one as unique
yet consistent to other and reflect the beauty of his name. I am
still not sure if I achieve what I wanted to paint, rest is up to
you, how they make an effect on you.
(these are all done in oil on canvas 16 x 16 inches)
“Come, come again, whoever you are,
come!
Heathen, fire worshippers or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are.”
by: Mevlana Jalauddin Rumi
►► Some
of the artist's artwork
Contact: HafeezSH@aol.com
Online Portfolio: www.arthafez.com
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