Transmutation Painting

“Art is where we discover and express our humanity; a place where we find a language to share our ideas and our emotions. It has the responsibility of helping society deal with its conflicts and contradictions. As an artist, I see it as my role to facilitate this” Ayesha Feisal is a British/ Sierra Leonean artist born in London, where she currently lives and works. Within her art, Feisal creates complex, amorous forms, drawing inspiration from the study of behaviour and the mind, whilst exploring the effects of experience. Influenced by the painting styles of the expressionist and futurist movement; her intrigue comes from how artists of such eras depicted meaning and experience; as well as movement and time. As a result, she displays intense – and sometimes unnatural – colours as a way to heighten the emotion in her work. Feisal’s art is reflective of her interest in psychological states and she uses the human form as a means to explore the psyche. Her works have been an ongoing response to events and situations; influenced by her interest in consciousness, universal law, balance and truth. She is drawn to portray characters with elevated mind sets, who move beyond the impact of circumstance, environment and social condition. Concerned with issues that affect black women globally, Feisal sees creativity as a form of resistance and is an ardent advocate for self empowerment. In 2015 she became a founding member of the Black British Female Artist (BBFA). The BBFA collective address the invisibility of UK’s Black female artists and disparity in prominence to their male counterparts. Focussed on building opportunities for black female artists, the work diversely reflects Diaspora stories. Feisal has exhibited in numerous group shows including Bargehouse Gallery, London (2015) as part of the AACDD Festival; ‘A Seat at the Table’, 198 Gallery, London; ACDF Festival, Lagos, Nigeria; 1:54 Contemporary Art Fair ‘Off The Tracks’ with Little Africa/ Des Gosses Marrakesh, Morocco as part of an artist residency and Dakar Biennale (OFF Dak’Art Gallery of Small Things) Senegal. In 2019, Feisal was selected for ‘No Room for Fear’ with SMO Contemporary, BBFA Collective and Smithsonian in London, and ArtX Lagos with Tafeta Gallery. She has been featured in; Evening Standard, Harpers Bazaar Arabia, ALT Africa and Petrie Inventory