artist

anime through black eyes – solo exhibition

| Aliyah Art

The self-curated solo exhibition “Anime Through Black Eyes” commemorates all of Aliyah’s works that widen the horizon of diversity in anime form. It also celebrates characters from anime and other popular culture that people, especially in the black community, look up to and are empowered by.

Anime is popular in the black community, its depiction of emotional and beautiful stories, the protagonist’s struggles,and their ability to overcome obstacles. It evokes courage in us, and it’s exciting to watch the story’s progression. With the hurdles people of colour face every day, having to jump through more hoops to get further in life, anime has been a saving grace where that struggle is relatable.

AfroFlux Con 2023

| Aliyah Art

I was invited to table at AfroFlux Con earlier this month – it was an exciting and both scary opportunity for me as it was my first time selling my artwork outside of London! I’m so happy I went to this event and honoured which had some other wonderful and innovative stalls from artists to jewellery makers.

The feedback and popularity of my artwork was amazing. ALIYAH ART is going national to sell her artwork! I am definitely motivated to sell my art in person at more events across the UK now.

THE BLUE PERIOD – 1ST SOLO EXHIBITION

| Aliyah Art

From February 15th – 17th 2023, I did my first solo art exhibition which took place in the Making Space gallery in Poplar.

From January until February, I had a residency where I was using the gallery as my studio space. Here I created and painted my original artworks, even pushing myself to go bigger and do a big piece! It was refreshing to have so much space to myself. Growing up in a council flat in central London meant I was met with many creative opportunities, but never having the space to thrive or utilise them, it usually proved difficult. I think this has subconciously resulted in my work to being on a smaller scale.

The opportunity to work in the Making Space studio excited me and it was the first time I had so much room to work with! I challenged myself to paint on a larger scale and to see how I would thrive working with bigger pieces. I really felt I got to spread my wings as an artist and I managed to produce pieces I never otherwise would have before. Making Space literally made time and space for me to do this and I am so thankful!

The title of the exhibition being The Blue Period is me comemorating the end of my “sad girl era” where I really drew from my feelings from years 2017-2022 but I feel like I have overcome this part of myself and creating these pieces helped me to process my thoughts and emotions. Blue is also my favourite colour – it’s both calming and deep, it can even represent royalty.

MAKE SHIFT CREATE – BLACK CREATORS RESIDENCY

| Aliyah Art

Make.Shift.Create is a charity foundation based in Brixton and they reached out to me on Instagram to select me as one of their black creatives for their 3 months residency programme.

This is an exciting opportunity I have been waiting for! I’ll be able to get more recognition as an artist in London, I also get to sell my art merchandise in their shop and online!

To commerate this achievement, I am going to release an exclusive collection just for this residency which starts on Sunday 24th April with the event at Pop Brixton. I’ll be selling art prints and a few new exclusive merch so please keep a look out.

I am truly grateful to have this opportunity to branch out my audience and get my artwork out there, especially to bring joy to those who see it and they get to support me and keep a piece of art for themselves so they too can feel empowered. There is so much power in seeing yourself in illustrations and paintings, something which I didn’t see a lot of growing up. I show myself and black women love when I create my illustrations.

FROM SCRATCH – CLOSING CEREMONY

| Aliyah Art

Thursday 7th April 2022

The closing ceremony for the first successful group exhibition by my good, dear friend Annette Fernando is happening this Thursday. I am very happy to announce that not only did I feature in the exhibition, but I’ll also be hosting the event on the night!

I felt with my experience and confidence built up from doing YouTube videos and Twitch livestreams, this was the next step up for me to go. I am very excited to host and present on the night!

There will be exclusive postcards of the artwork featured in the exhibition for sale, also some amazing performances from bands, musicians to spoken word poets on the night.

Being part of this exhibition has been such an achievement for me, I’m so happy to be able to share my artwork with my friends and family. It’s made me hungry for more – I will be featuring in more group exhibitions and soon will have my own solo exhibition too (it’s about time I did!)

This has made me proud to call myself an Artist!

Updates

| Aliyah Art

A lot has been happening my end, along with fantastic opportunities for commissions as an artist, I am also growing as an influencer too! I am absolutely excited about the campaigns I’ve been asked to work on and it really warms my heart to have this recognition. To be a body positive influencer and an artist influencer too, to teach others that not only can they make art but they are also themselves – ART!

This is the message I want to spread across, along with good vibes and fun – always!

YOU ARE ART.

Body Positivity

| Aliyah Art

During the second lockdown in UK, I was asked by the major lingerie brand (that I also love!) Curvy Kate, to do my first partnership takeover with them on Instagram! They wanted me to model the sets they sent over to me and also create a piece of art. It was both very exciting and nerve-wrecking as I’ve not ever modelled lingerie before, nor ever fathomed the thought of it because I’ve always felt really insecure about my body for as long as I can remember.

This opened the gates to body positivity for me, something I have followed for so long to feel reassured about myself. Now it’s my turn to get to be a part of that movement too and inspire others! The reality is that I am actually very sporty and very fit, but my body doesn’t change shape or “lose weight” this is just my frame – and I am healthy and CURVY!

Check out my takeover in the story highlights here: https://www.instagram.com/curvykate/

A BAD BXTCH

| Aliyah Art

I recently made myself a Spotify playlist to lift up my mood, help me feel good and remind myself of the bad B I really am. I think it’s important for us women to empower ourselves, to take ownership and feel good about our bodies too! This is what I was channelling whilst drawing this image.

You can follow the Spotify playlist here!