Muslim artists get their work celebrated in documentary
A former University of Bradford student has spotlighted five Muslim artists in a brand-new documentary.
Ahseem Yousuf (pictured above), a versatile film director known for his diverse portfolio, including Butchers Day, PONG, Northern Stories, and The Dying to Talk, has unveiled his latest masterpiece: Muslims of the Artworld. This documentary celebrates diversity by shining a spotlight on five Muslim sculptors, photographers, artists, and calligraphers from the vibrant cities of Bradford and Nottingham.
Kasim Tariq, a passionate social designer from Bradford, is featured in the documentary as he unveils his sculpture, The Bekun in the city’s Mirror Pool during the ‘Bradford is Lit’ festival. Inspired by Listers Mill, the sculpture features stained glass windows and is a testament to the textile industry’s contribution to Bradford.
Tariq said: “Now that Bradford has achieved the City of Culture, it’s a fantastic time for us to showcase all of that, all of the different communities and what we have to offer here.”
The documentary also shows Maryam Wahid, an English photographer who discusses her exhibition, Zaibunnisa. The exhibition captures Wahid’s first journey to Pakistan with her mother and explores heritage and British Asian identity.
Wahid said: “I have realised that there’s a lot more open space and awareness, whether you’re Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, or Sri Lankan. Whatever you may be as a South Asian, you have a voice and stories to tell. Even within India and Pakistan, there are so many diverse stories and so many diverse narratives.”
The documentary also features Sayra Begum, Mohamad Rasul, and Razwan Ul-Haq. Begum is a comic book artist from Nottingham who discusses her debut novel, Mongrel, released in 2020. The book uses the Islamic miniature style of figure drawing to show the clash of cultures between the East and West.
Rasul founded Artz-I Islamic Art & Gift Gallery, a Bradford-based Islamic art gallery featuring traditional and modern art inspired by faith.
Finally, Ul-Haq is the creator of Arabic calligraphies in neon lighting. He has seen his work portrayed in “Van Gogh Alive- The Experience”, a touring immersive exhibition held in Bradford in 2022 and 2023.
The 22-minute documentary premiered on Islam Channel on television earlier this week, June 2nd, and is now available to watch via YouTube.
