...a little bit about Vaseem

…Growing up in the East End of London near the River Thames in Wapping, Vaseem has always been interested in shapes, textures and atmospheres of his urban childhood. This fascination developed into a vocational interest in art during his mid twenties.

Whilst working in retail management for a high end fine chocolatiers in the early 90’s he decided to enroll at a local College to undertake a part time foundation course in Art & Design and then the following year he studied Graphics and Creative Computing & Illustration.

Although mainly self taught he then freelanced in graphic design and furniture renovation with Islamic inspired decoration, through which he found his niche in fine art painting & sculpture which he has concentrated on for almost 27 years.

Vaseem launched his work at The Old Spitalfields market in 1997 as part of an artists collective ‘Alternative arts’ and remained there for 4 years before moving on to open his own gallery nearby (VasGallery - 1999-2002), in the creative hub of Cheshire Street London E.2 off brick Lane.

Over the years Vaseem's work has evolved, always picking up and shedding influences, yet his most distinctive feature appears to be ever-present, namely his childhood appreciation of form, colour, and texture. Additionally, there appears to be a recurring symbolism of juxtaposition…

...archaic eastern architecture and Islamic calligraphy from past eras, confronts modernist, (predominately) western abstract style of painting

...the rich beauty of the natural world through vibrant opalescent colours and awing space, contrasted against the weary deterioration and irresponsibility of humanity's world

...the vastness of the mind through the glory of knowledge, encapsulated in the written word; the challenge between the sacred and the profane

The meetings, differences of our inner and outer existences; isolation and community, poignancy and joy, emotions and facades, differences in creed, values, history and ideology but still turning to a Higher Being.

Manifest in Vaseem's work is an essence of Islamic heritage and an absence of animate images. The latter was the result of a conscious decision by him to abstain from drawing living figures in accordance to the Islamic tradition. Rather than being restrictive, it opened many avenues of experimentation for Vaseem, challengingly urging him to express his ideas through visual abstract eloquence. Also, newly included into his family of work is sculpture.

For Vaseem, his work is a private, nostalgic and introvert gesture to the outside arena. But despite the perceptible intimate individualism in these paintings there is a context that relates the work to the wider condition of the world today, that of hybrid identities, diasporic culture fusions and post-modern eclecticism. It contains themes that often evoke personal and internal appreciation from the viewer. One collector describes that; “it speaks to me of the essence of relationships but it is the rising spirit that remains a constant hallmark throughout your work”.

Some of his work has been sold/auctioned through Sotheby's.

Commissions of art and various assignments

Distinguished projects include: painting an 8 piece collection for Mohammed Bin Issa Al Jaber's MBI international Holdings private jet.

He was commissioned to produced Qur'anic manuscripts & Qu'ran bindings used as props for a film, ‘Red-light Runners’ Directed by Michael Madsen.

Two paintings purchased and used in a Sony Advertisement campaign in Japan.

Commissioned to produce large banners for the float parades at the Nottinghill Carnival. Client: D&G Ginger Beer.

‘Routes & Beyond' - Book Cover Design. Client: John Eade.

Collectors of Vaseem’s original paintings include

• Ted Baker - founder Ray Kelvin

• Chris Evans | DJ | broadcaster

• Robert Elms | Writer & broadcaster BBC Radio London

• Amir Khan | British Boxer

• Faryal Makhdoom Khan

• Seyyed Mohammad Khatami | Former president of Iran

• Hajra Khan | Writer & broadcaster

• Mark Steven Merengo | Saville Row

• Laila Rouass | Actress & Humanitarian

• Sheikh Mohammed Bin Issa Al Jaber | MBI group

• Nahid Majid OBE

• Joe Haynes • The Cloth Restaurant, Farringdon

Among many other collectors, institutions, museums & galleries.

Diversification, fatherhood, changes in personal space, and the dynamics of political Islam have all affected his work, yet the previously mentioned elements and themes are all still ever present in different personas.

The latest art which Vaseem has been doing is a change from his usual work. His palette and style resembles more of a Persian or Islamic miniature art but strips it down in isolating the subject matter(s) which he uses as a metaphor for an event or an emotion which he has experienced or been effected by.

He draws on the idea of although things can look beautiful and hopeful, there is always an underlying message of a journey of struggle to achieve ones goal.

The art tries to evoke ‘Hope out of adversity’, in an emotional or a physical struggle but at the end we turn to something more higher in a spiritual sense to find a balance in our lives.

His paintings & sculpture have become more of a platform for a political expression (although sometimes not obvious), drawing from imagery of bombings, war and war torn cities which have all left their consequences, displacing and severing humanity.

Vaseem lives in London where he works from his studio. He regularly exhibits & curates his work, undertakes commissions and is involved in various ongoing projects.

Whether for implicative appreciation of deciphering the contents, or simply for an aesthetically pleasing view, we hope you enjoy the art!

Please contact Vaseem for further info, purchasing, commissioning or to arrange a Viewing at his studio (by appointment).

Enjoy the art!