Deema Mirza
Golden Narratives
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DEEMA MIRZA WWW.DEEMAMIRZA.COM
front cover: “Three Agree” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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ICAC
International Confederation of Art Critics
Opposite: “Peacock” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Dinosaur” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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Contents
The Artist
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“Spontaneous Perfection”
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Karen Lappon, International Confederation of Art Critics
“Art in Action”
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Timothy Warrington, International Confederation of Art Critics
“The Symbolic Nature of Gold”
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Christopher Rosewood, International Confederation of Art Critics
“Artwork analysis”
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Karen Lappon, International Confederation of Art Critics
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“New Material” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Walking in my park” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Deema Mirza's lyrical images are like sophisticated and articulate mosaics of flickering light that emerge from her paintings devoid of unnecessary mathematical geometry or figurative forms. The observer is led through a discovery of a new artistic language consisting of magical improvisation that catalyses a pure instinctive response”. Karen Lappon International Confederation of Art Critics
Opposite: “it Looked Different Before” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Party” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Foxy Bat” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Girl Dancing on a Rope” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Bluecherry” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Goldskull” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas Previous Pages: “Lasting Effect” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas “Lasting Effect” Detail by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot physically see with his eyes... Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an explosion into unknown areas�. Arshile Gorky
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“Elegant Egg” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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Deema Mirza
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The Artist
Deema Mirza’s most significant role model was her grandmother, Fathila, who taught her; loved her, nurtured her and kept her close by her side. As well as having a strong family connection, her grandmother noticed Deema’s notable intellect and especially her remarkable memory at a young age and this led to an even stronger and special bond between them. Deema had a phenomenal ability to recall specific details of events or conversations months after they took place and this gift influenced her personality and led her to being very attentive and a great observer. Deema’s journey was also heavily influenced by the fact that her family was mobile and lived in a variety of locations depending on the time of the year and the seasons. Town and country, lowland and mountains, waterside and forest, small villages and highly populated areas were all Deema’s homes as she moved from dusty country lanes, snowy mountains to large cities before making a final move from Iraq to London in 1980. Deema lived in Knightsbridge with her immediate family and her grandmother, with whom she shared a room. Her grandmother introduced Deema to the city, the museums and the culture.
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“Red” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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The Artist
They would visit art galleries, churches and cathedrals thus reinforcing Deema’s already rich evolution and paving the way for her creative journey. Deema’s art is in fact a combination of experience, positive spirit, limitless joyful energy and passion for beauty. Deema married at the tender age of 18 and is mother of two loving sons, Faisal was born five years into the marriage and Tallal five years after his older brother. Family life, business and the demands on Deema as wife put her art on hold until her sons were old enough to be independent. Deema is now able to fully pursue her artistic passions thus giving life to her creative energy and the recognition she has received is remarkable and immediate. The International Confederation of Art Critics are creating a book about her life and her art, the prestigious British Museum has published one of her works dedicating the entire back cover of their official magazine to Deema’s work and the Gagliardi Gallery, established 40 years on the King’s Road in Chelsea, presents her work and represents her as an artist.
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“Light Pink” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“When I am in my painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing” Jackson Pollock
Opposite: “Multiple Gold” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Forest on the Left” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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Spontaneous Perfection
Deema Mirza’s idea of art as an imitation of nature has evolved into a pure and exquisitely expressionistic embrace of the abstract form of creativity. Her energetic, gestural and spontaneous method of painting eloquently reflects the New York School of Jackson Pollock, Sam Francis and the Art Informel movement of Jean-Paul Riopelle. A passionate but innately delicate technique, together with an instinctive and evocative method of applying paint to canvas, denote the apparent spontaneity of Deema’s approach to her compositions that have the intangible ability to release and unlock the creativity of her subconscious mind. Her impasto is, at times, thick and luxuriant and conveys emotions that provoke a stimulating effect through the emphasised texture while her assimilation of various materials into some of her paintings communicate her free spirit and an anarchic subversion of formal painting. The paint is dripped, flicked and splattered onto the canvas with controlled abandonment and contained interpretation of captured emotions. There is no reference to the real world, rather her works immortalise particular feelings, combinations of primordial dimensions of her personality juxtaposed with genuine joy, positivity, Joie de vivre and intense love.
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“Three Agree” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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Spontaneous Perfection
The sublime atmosphere, moving and vibrating with an intensity of colour in which the shapes are saturated with emotive substance, allowing dynamism without restraint, colour without outline and emotion without the need for reality. Deema’s ultimate expression of mood and inner complexities are free from artistic conventions and her strong expressive patterns and densely layered kaleidoscopic masses of pigments explode across the canvas surface in swooshes and swirls and mysterious vortexes. Deema Mirza’s lyrical images are like sophisticated and articulate mosaics of flickering light that emerge from her paintings devoid of unnecessary mathematical geometry or figurative forms. The observer is led through a discovery of a new artistic language consisting of magical improvisation that catalyses a pure instinctive response. As Pablo Picasso once said: “Art is not the application of a canon of beauty, but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon”. Deema Mirza has captured this concept and taken full possession of it.
Karen Lappon International Confederation of Art Critics
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“Orange Fox” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Happy Cloud” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“A labyrinthic neuronal cluster in which the synapses exchange multifarious signals stimulating a heterogeneous spectrum of emotional responses, from mystery to understanding, from pain to quietude, from confusion to serenity�. Karen Lappon International Confederation of Art Critics
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“Dry Earth” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas Previous Pages: “Peach Girl 1” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Deema’s artwork is opulently complex with textured surfaces that accentuate movement and form”. Timothy Warrington International Confederation of Art Critics
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“Cat Walk” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Skin” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Ink” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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The Action of Art
Deema Mirza is an extremely talented Abstract Expressionist artist, her artistic technique is exceptionally developed and her paintings possess a sublime dimension that surpasses rational thought. She is an action painter focusing on a contained gestural style and the chosen medium for her artwork is predominantly acrylic on canvas accompanied by mixed mediums including less conventional materials such as glitter. Deema’s artwork is opulently complex with textured surfaces that accentuate movement and form. Beautiful and vigorous colours are used in her paintings to provoke intrigue in the spectator whilst gold and silver tones are frequent elements in that simultaneously but delicately foster the impression of immense glamour and elegance. Mirza’s stunning paintings penetrate and captivate the soul gently persuading us to dream as each composition allows the onlooker to traverse an intense journey of peace and joy via the movements, shapes, forms and hues that are saturated with the inherent power to access the subconscious mind of the observer and solidify an emotional connection between the painting and the viewer. Simultaneously, a bond between the artist and the viewer is born and the artist’s immeasurable imagination assures complete freedom of thought, perpetually utilising a spectacular colour palette. In some respects, Deema is undoubtedly inspired by Pollock himself, in regards to style, technique and boldness of colour.
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“Holding Hands� by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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The Action of Art
She uses metallic colour bases for her paintings, primarily gold and silver tones, making her artwork highly recognisable and unique whilst still able to convey diverse artistic ideas in each composition. The artist herself identifies with anything and everything within her artworks, some paintings are connected to nature and hold titles such as, “Walking in my park” or “Forest on the left” whilst others are identified as “Peacock” and “Dinosaur”. Observers are encouraged to draw their own ideas and conceive fantasies about what the paintings represent and essentially what they are. Mirza empowers the admirer to possess the artistic freedom to see what one see without being disturbed or forced into any direction and therefore allows the viewer to ponder deeper meanings. It is a simple fact that this artist has truly captured the essence of Abstract art albeit with her jubilant yet refined artistic vision. In relation to art history, Deema draws some inspiration from arguably the most evocative form of art, Abstract Expressionism, a post World War II art movement developed in the 1940’s in New York, as well as adopting aspects of the action painting technique which was also developed in the 1940’s and first named by American art critic Harold Rosenberg. Deema Mirza is a tremendous talent able to create compositions with multifaceted emotional and romantic dimensions transporting the viewer to a state of joyful serenity.
Timothy Warrington International Confederation of Art Critics
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“Turquoise” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Baby” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“What you do when you paint, you take a brush full of paint, get paint on the picture, and you have faith” Willem de Kooning
Opposite: “Gold Skull” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Line on Top” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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The Symbolic Nature of Gold
Gold symbolises the colour of success and prosperity, it also holds immense spiritual value in terms of religion, representing prominent figures as well as carrying a profound meaning in traditional art, culture and history. Consequently, the eloquent use of gold in Deema Mirza’s paintings elevates her artwork to a powerful, meaningful and spiritual level enriching the compositions with infinite value and uniqueness. There is a timeless perfection to Deema’s paintings and, although abstract in composition, the gold she applies elegantly and magically embraces the spectator to the transcendental facet of Pre-Renaissance art, a period where gold was especially used to convey grace and majesty. There is strong correlation in regards to the golden shades in Deema’s creations and the art of the Pre-Renaissance, beneath the innovative form of her work, linking the artist to history as well as giving her paintings a depth and power. The essence of gold in Deema’s work has the rare and unusual ability to recall some of the intangible feelings shared of Byzantine art. Mirza pleasantly reminds us that in Constantinople, centuries ago, artists were striving towards more abstract inspirations as opposed to the classical approach. Interestingly, Byzantine art was considered abstract for its time and historical context. Mirza now seems to continue this transition and abandons all recognisable fundamental elements in her compositions.
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“Christmas Tree” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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The Symbolic Nature of Gold
In relation to the Pre-Renaissance, Giotto’s well known heavy use of gold leaf and golden lines in his extraordinary artworks is spiritually connected to the foundations and emotions of Deema’s work which is a cultural continuation of exceptionally deep roots intertwined with energetic innovation. Mirza manages to expertly coincide traditions of art history and modern art. She experiments with various textures, shades of gold and silver and different colour combinations to conceive her sublime paintings in which the powerful tones and textures are balanced by delicate gold and a timeless sheen. The fine layers deliver a sculptural quality to the conception of her fabulous artworks that allows her to express her messages more confidently and powerfully - the messages of intense joy, freedom and love. There is a sense of freedom and liberty that is immortalised with tone and texture rather than words. Deema’s artworks do not have any specific individual meaning that can be described through conventional language as they are journeys of emotion merged with thought ideas that cannot be faithfully translated. They are messages communicated in the language of art, to be individually and instinctively interpreted and enjoyed by art lovers and collectors. Christopher Rosewood International Confederation of Art Critics
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Opposite: “Looking up” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Louminous Colours” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Deema Mirza’s paintings are where art and passion
unite in a uniqely emotive form of contemporary art”. Peter Gagliardi Art Curator
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“Hair Dresser” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“The Queen” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Looking up” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“There is movement and movement. There are movements of small tension and movements of great tension and there is also a movement which our eyes cannot catch although it can be felt. In art this state is called dynamic movement�. Kasimir Malevich
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“Smile Different” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Foxy Bat” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Bride Frog” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Untitled” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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Artwork Analysis
“Peacock” is a wonderful example of Deema Mirza’s talent as an expressionist painter. It withholds a myriad of levels of intensity, mirroring the depths of Deema’s soul and the heights of her creativity. The luxuriant background made of gold, silver and copper evoke the exotic landscapes made of spiced aromas, embroidered silk fabrics and enthralling chants from her Middle Eastern country of origin. The use of light and dark colours enhance the various levels of depth and perspective and highlight the thick layered impasto. Light radiates differently according to where it falls on the canvas, and together with the lines and patterns, conveys great dynamism and movement to the painting. “Light Pink” is a work of exquisite taste and elegance. It bears a sense of completeness and balance within itself, like a secret to be revealed to the beholder who must decipher the intricate narrative beyond the surface, the technique and the style. A labyrinthic neuronal cluster in which the synapses exchange multifarious signals stimulating a heterogeneous spectrum of emotional responses, from mystery to understanding, from pain to quietude, from confusion to serenity. Contrasting and complementary feelings that are the source of life itself. Every personal life experience is represented and evoked by Deema’s hands, as if deeper knowledge of the human soul were embedded in her subconscious, and brought to light on this canvas to confront us with ourselves, in an engaging and challenging self-analysis.
Karen Lappon International Confederation of Art Critics
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“Blue Duck” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
Opposite: “Swim of the Purple Duck” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Smarties Are Having Fun” by Deema Mirza mixed media on canvas
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“Colors produce a corresponding spiritual vibration, and it is only as a step towards this spiritual vibration that the elementary physical impression is of importance� Wassily Kandinsky
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International Confederation Art Critics www.international-confederation-art-critics.org