view, each person adding to our tradition, our narrative.” - Juma Harding-Dimmock “At every opening night we are all brought to tears and we are all reminded again of how needed this is.” - Farah Soobhan Although juggling this project with work and all that is involved in raising a family, Juma and Farah are great advocates of running workshops and teaching creativity to young people and an exhibition of the work of children and young people is in the pipeline as are exhibitions in Birmingham and Paris. “Throughout history, the oppressed create the most moving, insightful thought-provoking art. So for me, I
this major spiritual transitional stage of my life, I could not find my way. My work before Islam was heavily charged by politics and black history. But I lost who I was, and what was important to me.” It was through networking with inspirational Muslim women creatives that she was able to find her feet and use her creativity as a way of exploring her own journey of spiritual development. Juma believes that DOT is needed today as it is vital to “proving to none other than ourselves that we are much more than what we are portrayed be. Intelligent, insightful people who have a right to do what they love and be appreciated for what they do and who they are. Just like anyone else.” DOT plans to build upon what they have started, to branch out further, so that their ideas can be experienced by more people and the sense of belonging, ownership and creativity can be shared with all who participate.
Juma Harding-Dimmock© wanted to see what Muslim creatives are making. How are we coping, how are we reacting and responding?” Juma Harding-Dimmock, who studied Fine Art at Central St Martins, felt that her creative process suffered when she became a Muslim. “I was given so many limitations and restrictions when I converted. I became overwhelmed and my art suffered. Rather than utilising Dot Exhibition at Rumi's Cave
Battle of Uhud - Juma Dimmock Harding
Majesty. Be a child again and marvel at the simple things…patterns in nature, the sounds of birdsong, and the formation of clouds. Or consider the golden ratio or Fibonacci spiral, both reflections for us of a far greater reality. If your setting is mainly urban, even modern architecture refers back to nature, even the modality of structures refers back to the unseen nature of atoms or chemical structures. I challenge you to see all things anew and to be grateful.
Looking Forward
The Summer Exhibition is an annual event held at the Royal Academy of the Arts in London and showcases the work of budding artists and established creatives alike. It is an opportunity to show and sell work in one of the largest public art shows in Europe. The deadline for submissions is February 12th. For more information go to https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/summ er-exhibition
Exploring Art
The Great Outdoors Although it’s cold and the last thing on our minds is being outdoors why not do it just for the sake of it? Nature is one of the greatest reminders of God's
Moriam Grillo is an international
award winning artist.She holds Batchelor degrees in photography & film and Ceramics and is currently studying for a masters in Art Therapy. Moriam is also founder of the Butterfly Project.
January 2018
13