Salma Arastu

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Salma Arastu [1] (born 1950, Rajasthan, India) is an internationally exhibited woman artist known for her unique global perspective, reflecting her diverse cultural background and experiences. Born in Rajasthan, India, Aratsu pursued her formal education in Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India. She was raised in the Sindhi and Hindu traditions and later embraced Islam and moved to the USA in 1986, currently residing in California. As a woman, artist, and mother, Arastu's creative endeavors aim to foster harmony and express the universality of humanity through various art forms, including paintings, sculpture, and poetry. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] She has also worked extensively with calligraphy and produces greeting cards for the American Muslim community. [7]

Contents

Arastu has been exhibiting her paintings for over last forty five years in India, Iran, Kuwait, Germany and the United States, having more than sixty solo and group exhibitions. [4] [6] [8] Furthermore, her work has been placed in many museums around world for example, State Museum of Art, Harrisburg, PA, Museum Of Modern Art, Hyderabad, India, Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, St. Louis, Missouri, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA, 9/11 Memorial Museum, New York, NY, Islamic Museum of Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. [3] [9] [1] Her exhibitions have been held in notable places e.g. Stanford Art Spaces, Stanford University, Art Museum, Radford University, [10] [11] [12] and she has earned several awards for her work. [3] [13] [14] [15]

Artistic Style and Inspirations

Arastu's art is deeply influenced by the imagery, sculpture, and writings of both her Indian heritage and Islamic spirituality. [16] [13]

The artist's experiences in different cultures around the world have further enriched her artistic style. While living and working in Iran and Kuwait, she was exposed to a wealth of Islamic arts and Arabic calligraphy, which continue to inspire her work to this day. [16]

Exhibitions and recognition

Arastu's artistic achievements have led to invitations to various esteemed institutions and events. She presented her work and delivered talks at Stanford University, Commonwealth of San Francisco, Seattle University, Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, she was invited to Germany twice, once as a Resident Artist in Schwabisch Gmund in 2000 and later by the Westphalia Wilhelm University in Münster in 2011. [1]

In March 2018, Salma Arastu participated in a one-month Artist Residency Program in Morocco, hosted by the Green Olives art Gallery. [16]

Some of her awards are following. [1]

Works and Themes

Arastu's works [16] delve into themes of unity in diversity, hope, connection, celebration of the earth and women, and seeking oneness among humanity, soil, and soul. Her art carries a strong ecological consciousness, exemplified in her series "Mycelial Flow" and "Tiny Creatures: Our Invisible Sustainers." In these series, she explores the intricate relationships between organisms, drawing attention to the vital role of microbes in sustaining the ecosystem. [15]

Through her physical and meditative artistic process, Arastu fills her canvases with moving lines and multi-layered textures. She employs various materials, including paper, rope, modeling paste, paper-mache, copper plate, pen, and ink, to create mesmerizing compositions that reveal subliminal images. [16]

Publications and legacy

Salma Arastu is also an accomplished writer, having authored and published five books on her art and poetry:

Her dedication to creativity and love for creation have become sources of eternal joy and constant inspiration in her life. Through her art, Salma Arastu hopes to spread joy, blessings, and positive inspiration, reflecting her deep connection with humanity and the world around her. [15] [16]

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Salma Arastu has had more than sixty solo exhibitions and even more group exhibitions. [3] [4] [9] [17] Some of her selected solo exhibitions are following. [1]

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References

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Further Reading