Aziza Iqbal - A Light Within

Manifesting the unseen, 2018

Manifesting the Unseen is an arts & culture project that seeks to remove barriers & reveal hidden truths by creating a discursive space to experience the unique artistic language of Islamic art & its modern cultural expression.

In 2018, Manifesting the Unseen brought together an international group of Muslim women artists to East London, and will invite the viewer to see the unseen; and challenge their perceptions of Islam and Muslim women.

Curated by Nazia Mirza

Supported by Arts Council London and Guest Projects
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A LIGHT WITHIN: INSPIRATION

Islamic art perfectly encapsulates the paradoxical nature of Duality: revealed and secret, simple and complex, process and result, introspection with revelation. This duality is also illustrated in two of Allāh’s 99 Names, Al Bātin, The Hidden and Az-Zāhir, The Manifest.

The title of this collection references a beautiful parable in the Holy Qur'ān, from Sūrah an-Noor, verse 35, which speaks of Spiritual Light, and of which Allāh is the Supreme Source. Inspired by this metaphor of sparkling glass and inner light, Aziza combines her love of architecture, mosaics and mirrors, with the duality of reflections and shadows.