Talking Points: Shaheen Ahmed
A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Shaheen Ahmed.
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Shaheen Ahmed
Primordial Sanctuary by Shaheen Ahmed
“When countries are at war, when people are suffering, that is the time to reach out. The very least we should do is empathise.”
“Craftivist” Shaheen Ahmed lives and works in the West Midlands where she manipulates maps and paper using Kirigami to connect her passion for Islamic art, and exploration of social justice.
The concept of empathy is central to Shaheen’s work. Her manipulation of maps, over-writing with pattern and marks, is Shaheen’s way of commenting upon and mending the destruction and fear caused by boundaries and borders. The meditative actions she performs become Shaheen’s blessings outwards for a better world.
Linktree
www.shaheenahmed.com/
Q&A with Shaheen Ahmed by New Art West Midlands
Mapping Empathy by Shaheen Ahmed
Craft Council Exhibition
Primordial Sanctuary by Shaheen Ahmed
Persia by Shaheen Ahmed
Questions to Ask Children
Look carefully at Shaheen’s artwork. How would you describe it to someone who couldn’t see it?
Do you think the processes Shaheen uses and the final outcome contribute to Shaheen’s wellbeing?
How do you feel when you look at the artwork? Are you thinking about the painstaking processes Shaheen uses, or the final outcome? Or are you thinking about the people in the places she makes art about? Or something else?
Shaheen describes herself as a “Craftivist”. What do you think that means?
This Talking Points Is Used In…
Pathway: Exploring pattern
This is featured in the ‘Exploring Pattern’ pathway
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Find out how pupils can respond to artists work in sketchbooks
Show me what you see
