Sadaf Farasat

I paint a variety of subjects and do not restrict my creativity to just one single theme using different media and techniques. I paint whatever gives me the sense of being connected to my Creator! And whatever gives me the chance of conveying the message of Allah and His Messenger (saw). Although I get my inspiration from various phenomena and philosophies, my work is mostly inspired by Sufism and how Man’s relation with Allah is described in Sufism. Sufism espouses a well-founded and thoroughgoing interpretation of Islam, which focuses on love, tolerance, worship of God, community development, and personal development through self-discipline and responsibility. A Sufi’s way of life is to love and be of service to people, deserting the ego or false self and all illusion so that one can reach maturity and perfection, and finally reach Allah, the True, the Real. I have painted a series of “Whirling Derweshes”. As a follower of Rumi, I do “whirling” on
canvas with the strokes of my painting tools. I continue my own “sema” on canvas until a piece is created which gives me satisfaction. Contrary to popular belief, the Derwesh’s goal is not to lose consciousness or to fall into a state of ecstasy. Instead, by revolving in harmony with all things in nature -- with the smallest cells and with the stars in the firmament -- the Derwesh testifies to the existence and the majesty of the Creator, thinks of Him, gives thanks to Him, and prays to Him. In so doing, the Derwesh confirms the words of the Quran (64:1): Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God. I view Sufism as continuous striving to cleanse one's self of all that is bad or evil in order to
acquire virtue. Painting is my way to connect to Allah, it is meditation for me, it is a form of
submission, a way of expressing my love to Him. Every painting of mine has a theme and
conveys a message of love for Allah. As Rumi says "All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet,
those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"

I hope the message which I am trying to convey through my art can be a form of selfrealisation, spiritual healing and purification for the soul. Mont Kiara, Kuala lumpur, Malaysia. Solo exhibition June 2012. Straits Quay, Penang, Malaysia. Group show, Islamic Art Exhibition, Oct 2013. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Group show, April 2014. Address gallery, Karachi, Pakistan. Group show, Sufi Carnival, Oct 2014. Al-Hamra, Lahore, Pakistan. Group show, Voices of Silence, Nov 2014. Gallery6, Islamabad, Pakistan. Solo Exhibition, Feb 2015. For the love of Art, E-11, Islamabad, Pakistan. Group show, Reflections, Feb 2015. Group show, March 2015. International women artists exhibition, August 2015. Solo exhibition at the High Commission of Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. November 2015. Oxford International Art Fair 2016. 26th-28th February. Oxford, United Kingdom.