Artist Statement

I create a mood and feeling of dynamic tension in my work by playfully manipulating the planes and facets of the patterns against each other. The stresses that this creates help me to achieve the maximum impact within the overall design and also to push the boundaries of the material to its limits.

When creating a piece, the most exciting moment for me is when my flat designs become dramatically transformed when charted over a structure and then taken to another level by heavily carving into it.

The hue of the clay body is crucial because I rarely use glazes, instead I rely on the clay body itself, either stoneware or earthenware, to provide colour in my work. I also rely on the piece itself to dramatise the tones and textures through the effects of light and shadow.

In my early work I was exploring the boundaries of my new found ‘modus operandi,' which was infused with Islamic influences drawn from heavily carved architecture.

This led me to look to other examples of intricately carved and constructed buildings from all around the world. In addition, I was inspired by the repetitive motifs and patterns derived from African surface design.

Delving deeper into these architectural influences I discovered that I was intrigued by the internal space and the construction, which were articulated together on the external surface envelope.

Subsequently, my work was influenced by a new emphasis on the balance between masculine and feminine forms whilst working with the same elements of design and process.

More recently I have become interested in cutting more aggressively in to the original form, sometimes to the point where the form begins to distort and becomes no longer recognisable as a geometric volume.

Current Work

Combining strong geometric elements with recurrent patterns and architectural principles, Halima's work utilises definite lines and dramatic angles in an attempt to manifest the universal language of number and create an unsettling sense of movement.

To achieve these effects she uses heavily grogged clay that allows her to work on a large scale and utilise relatively thick surfaces to carve to the desired depth. Halima concentrates on simple forms as the basis of her work in order to maximise the impact of the complex surface patterns in combination with heavily contrasting contours.

This approach provides her with the tools to create the compelling drama and playful dynamism that characterises her work.

History

Born in 1975 in Pakistan, brought up in Manchester and now living in Blackburn, Lancashire, Halima's varied, multi-cultural background is tangibly present in her work.

A natural creativity presented itself at an early age and was nurtured to fruition as Halima carved her way through an art-based education: an undergraduate degree in 1997 and an MA in 2002.

The culmination of this process is Halima's precociously mature work. Fusing her Asian cultural roots with a fascination for African pattern work and a passion for architectural geometry, Halima's work is intense yet playful, structured yet creative; substantial yet dynamic and invariably compelling in its originality.

Exhibitions

2003 - Placa de l’Angel. Barcelona, Selected Show

2004 - The Discerning Eye. Mall Galleries, London Formally invited by Peter Randall-Page.
2004 - Maiden Bridge. Lancaster, Collaborative show with renowned artist Monica Young.
2004 - Old Town Hall. Ornskoldsvik Art Museum, Sweden Selected Show.
2004 - Blackburn Museum. Blackburn. Solo show.

2005 - Platform Gallery, Cllitheroe, Solo show (T E).
2005 - Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster.
2005 - Art London, The Royal College of Art, London.
2005 - Collect, V&A, London, Selected Show .
2005 - Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, Selected Show
2005 - The Hub. Lincolnshire, Solo show (T E).
2005 - Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth, Wales.
2005 - Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, Solo show, (T E).
2005 - Beverley Art Gallery, Yorkshire, Solo show (T E).
2005 - London Interiors with idFX, Earls Court, London, Selected Show.
2005 - Bolton Museum and Gallery, Bolton, Solo show (Touring Exhibition).

2006 - Feb 8th -13th 2006 - Collect, V&A, London, Selected Show
2006 - March 3-5th Ceramic Art London, The Royal College of Art, London
2006 - March 4th –April 24th - Platform Gallery, Cllitheroe, Solo show (T E)
2006 - April 29th -Aug 12th Warrington Art Gallery & museum, Solo show (T E).
2006 - May 13th -July 29th Making Connections, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery
2006 - June 1st Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2006 - June 12 - Aug 20 Summer Exhibition 2006, Royal Academy of Art
2006 - June 24th - Sept 2nd Patterns of Identity, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhamton
2006 - June 25th Earth & Fire, Rufford, Nottingham.
2006 - July 8th - Aug 5th Mid Cornwall Galleries, Cornwall, Selected Show
2006 - July 19th R H S, ‘Ribblesdale Stand', Tatton Park
2006 - Aug 4th -7th Open Studio, Allanbank Mill Steading, Berwickshire, Scotland
2006 - Aug 4th Art in Clay, Hatfield House. Hatfield.
2006 - Aug 19th - Sept 23rd Mid Pennine Gallery, Burnley, Solo show
2006 - Sept 22nd - July 2nd Inner-City-Living, Preston
2006 - Sept 9th - Nov12th Art & Islam, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
2006 - Sept 12th - Oct 29th North by North Wales Ceramics, , Rufford, Nottingham,
2006 - Oct 10th - 15th Origin: The London Craft Fair, Summerset House, Strand, London
2006 - Oct 21st -Dec 23rd Maths & Ceramic, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, Selected Show.
2006 - Nov 4th - Dec 15th Gallery Pangolin, Chalford, Stroud, Abstract Bronze by Female Artist, - Selected Show
2006 - Nov 9th ‘Sofa', Chicago, USA, Selected Show
2006 - Nov 26 Where I Fell In Love Gallery, Warwickshire, Solo show
2006 - Dec 14th - Feb 10th ‘Northern Hot Pots' Bolton Museum & Art Gallery

2007 - Toe Gallery, Mambi, India. Solo Show,
2007 - March 3rd – 31st - Applied Art and Architecture, Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool, Invited Guest. 
2007 - March 12th/Aug 18th - Gallery Oldham, Oldham, Solo Show
2007 - March - April Japan, Residency in Fuki followed by two Solo shows in Kyoto & Saito
2007 - April 28th - World Contemporary Ceramics,  4th Biennale South Korea, Invited Guest
2007 - April - Germany, Galerie Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg - Selected Show
2007 - August - 30th - Yufuku Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, Invited Guest
2007 - Sept 22 - Oct 13 - Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset - Selected Show
2007 - Sept 22nd – Nov 25th - Wakefield Art Gallery, Wakefield, Solo Show
2007 - Nov 4th – Dec 15th - Gallery Pangolin, Chalford, Stroud, Selected Show
2007 - Nov 15 – 25th - Discerning Eye, The Mall Galleries, London, Selected Show
2007 - Nov 16 – 19 Jan - Newport Museum & Art Gallery, ‘Out or the Ordinary, Newport, selected show

2008 - January - ‘Collect’ V & A, London, Invited
2008 - Feb – March - Art Mill, Hebden Bridge, Solo show
2008 - March 15th - Platform Gallery, showcasing new ‘Marquette’ for 6 Sculpture in Nature Reserve
2008 - June - Wakefield Art Gallery, Wakefield, New Acquisitions.
2008 - June - Sept - 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. Scunthorpe. Touring Solo show.
2008 - Nov. - Beaux Arts, Bath, Solo Show

2009  28th Feb - Craft Study Centre, Surrey, Solo Show
2009 - 7th  March - 18April Puls Contemporary Ceramics,  Brussels, Invited Guest
2009 - 3 April - 23 May - Ceramics from Great Britain, Bavarian Crafts Council, Munich, Selected Show
2009 - 3 June - 18July - The Margaret Harvey Gallery The University of Hertfordshire, St Albans, Solo Show
2009 - 28 June - Arram, Mid Penine Arts, Burnley
2009 - July - Arabic Arts Festival, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool,  Invited Guest
2010 - Feb - National Museum of Archaeology, St Germain en Laye, France Invited Guest
2010 - May-July - The Shape of Things, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton
2010 - 15 May - 1 August - Cartwright Hall, Bradford, Solo Show

Projects, Commissions and Collections

Projects
2009 - Residency in Pakistan (6 weeks)
2008 - 20-21 Residency, Visual Arts Centre. Scunthorpe
2007 - Japan - Residency (11 weeks.)
2006 - Rufford - Residency, Nottingham. June - July.
2006 - Public Art - Mid Pennine Arts.

Public art commissions:
Nottingham Rampton Art Project ‘The Flower Dome’,
Blackburn (Northgate) Wall Sculpture ‘Blossom Way’ ,
Clitheroe Ribble Valley Nature Reserve - Sculpture Park ‘6 gateway sculpture’,
Blackburn Barbra Castle Way) Designed ‘Paving & Fencing’,
Liverpool National Wildflower Center ‘Wall tiles Relief’

Commissions
Twenty+ different pieces for various clients (indoor/outdoor).

Commissions and Collections - Private and Public:
Victoria & Albert Museum
Bolton Museum & Art Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield Gallery x 2 pieces
Shipley, Museum & Art Gallery
Jerwood Foundation Trust x 4 pieces
Harris, Museum & Art Gallery
Peter Scott Gallery Trust
Oldham Museum & Art Gallery
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery
Dundee Museum & Art Gallery
Toe Gallery, Mumbai, India

Sponsorships

2004 - 2005 Shisha. Manchester.
2004 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
2004 Arts Council England Northwest.
2000 - 2005 Shaws of Darwen. Darwen, Lancashire.
2000 - 2002 Marshall Clay Products. Accrington, Lancashire.

Achievements and Reviews

2005 Art Council, Culture Finance & Business, Award.
2005 Craft Council Development Award.
2005 Publication & Touring Exhibition, ‘CARVED EARTH'.
2005 Creativity Development Award 2005, East Lancashire, Winner.
2005 ART 05, North West, Finalist.
2004 - Nominated & highly commended, New Designers, ‘1 Year on' London

Reviews
Nukta (Pakistan) Magazine,
Taiwan Contemporary Magazine,
Ceramic Review
Craft Magazine
Taiwan Contemporary
Nukta (Pakistan)
Keramik Magazine Europa (Germany) 
International Gallerie : A Journal of Ideas (India)
Clay in Art International
Big Issue
Asian Network Radio, BBC Radio Lancashire