Shaheen Ahmed

09/06/2024

I created Tents of Sanctuary almost 15 years ago, I was disillusioned with all the borders, boundaries, and restrictions that were set up across the world. Sometimes, I referred to this piece as Global Sanctuary: Primordial Earth is a place for prayer and reflection for all living beings.
The sheer devastation of human suffering, mostly in the global south, was intensely painful to witness. My tent like structures were my way of reaching out and offering hope and refuge - metaphorically speaking.
There is so much to mention about tents in recent times. Please share your thoughts, if you can.
Many thanks
Shaheen

06/06/2024

https://www.baytalfann.com/event-details-registration/islamic-pattern-purpose

Join me this Sunday, as I'll be in great company amongst global artists, to discuss what motivates me to create art. Why Islamic art, why do I focus on tents and sanctuary? How do I navigate a political spectrum within my practise that is inclusive and subtle at the same time. Book online via the link above. Many thanks, Shaheen

In this immersive online event, we explore the power of Islamic patterns as a tool for visual conversations that are spiritual, political, and purposeful. This dynamic session features a panel of distinguished artists who will delve into the profound symbolism and intricate beauty of Islamic art.

06/06/2024

https://www.baytalfann.com/event-details-registration/islamic-pattern-purpose

Join me and host of amazing artists this Sunday!

In this immersive online event, we explore the power of Islamic patterns as a tool for visual conversations that are spiritual, political, and purposeful. This dynamic session features a panel of distinguished artists who will delve into the profound symbolism and intricate beauty of Islamic art.

21/05/2024

Text Book📚 GENOCIDE Flag 🇵🇸 making workshop on 15th May 2024, at Gaza Heart
Thanks to Photojournalist for the stunning first four images🌟👏🏼📷 Thank you so much for coming over and working with us, Anudheep!
Special shout out to UoB student and social justice artist Tara , who churned out masses of creative messages!
Fabulous working with Summer, Robin, Javeria, Mariyah, .sadiq.art and many more. All peppered with great conversations, gorgeous weather, and lovely atmosphere ❤️ #🇵🇸🍉✊🏼

🇵🇸


❤️gaza

06/05/2024

Repost: We had the best time making library book flags with artist at the launch of today, and it was great to see familiar faces from - and some familiar artwork too!
Glorious weather, fab turn out, great company!



.sadiq.art ♥️libraries

30/03/2024

30/03/2024

Did you craft and decorate a Tudor paper model or create a herringbone inspired weave in our Old Yardley Arts Café sessions at BlakesleyHall? If you were unable to attend our arts and heritage exhibition or would love to see it again, the display will be moving to St. Edburgha's Church for its upcoming Open Day. It will be a display of pieces created by residents with Artists Shaheen Ahmed and Mahawa Keita plus photography capturing the journey of the project by photographer Salsabil Khalifa. It's also a lovely opportunity to explore this beautiful Medieval church. Details on the flyer in the comments.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

25/03/2024

19/03/2024

Craftspace

24/02/2024

The trauma we experience as witnesses to the relentless ongoing genocide is, at times, painfully crippling. I'm horrified and devastated, grieving for Palestine, the men, women, elderly, children, the babies, doctors, nurses, journalists, mothers, and fathers along with the animals.
I'm sharing an image of a small A4 art piece ( from 2020), with arabic words of hope, resilience, strength, light, patience, peace, fortitude, sanctuary etc. Words that i was told Palestinian artists were also using within their work.

In 2020, I, along with .fida Pat Dawson (Producer, within the arts) and a team within Gaza, Palestine, collaborated with an aim to support artists within Palestine. Unfortunately, we got rejected. I thought I would share some of our 20-page document here:

Partnering herself with Taran3D ,long with Neelam Fida, a Child Safeguarding advocate at Islamic relief Worldwide,equips Shaheen's art practice with the foundation's to humanely reach out to the youth of Gaza. Mapping the Unseen will assist Rusul Art Club in Gaza through creative workshops that combine music, dance, movement, traditional brush ,nd ink work along with digital approaches. This labour of love wants to address childhoid trauma through advocating play and healing. Now is the ideal moment for this collaboration to take place, whilst the world is in lockdown and people are reaching out to each other via online platforms.  Through this collaboration,Shaheen and Taran will see their digital project take shape in a land that is in need of empathy. Their  approach will reach a home that they had only imagined would be a metaphorical outreach. Through partnering with a humanitarian organisation like Gaza Islamic Relief,they will be in a position to reach out virtually, with an aim at sustaining creatives in Gaza on a long-term basis. Islamic relief Gaza has the infrastructure to engage with the youth of Gaza. What they are looking for is a helping hand in equipping the participants with the technical skills in digital output.

We had been planning this project for some time and were keen to be completely in the background.