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Siddiqa Juma, Contemporary Islamic Artist

“I am a British contemporary Islamic artist from Watford, on the outskirts of London. I am a mother of 4, grandmother of 2 and have painted for pleasure since I was a child, and professionally for work since around 2010. I simply cannot imagine my life without art.
I have painted for as long as I can remember. Born in Zanzibar and growing up in Tanzania, I remember having one of my paintings featured in the local newspaper when I was 8 years old. I can't really explain why I paint. It comes completely as second nature to me. I painted as gifts for my family members, I did portraits of my children when they were younger and Islam, my faith - has always been the greatest inspiration in my art. I cannot imagine my life without art and without painting. It is as important to me as the air that I breathe, not just as a form of meditation, but as a means of transferring all of my thoughts and creative energy into creating something beautiful, with a message that I hope will travel as deep as the viewer's heart.

The first thing I think that needs to be addressed in art school, is a compulsory module on the business of art. On how to commercialise your art in order to make a living. Artists, for the most part, are not wired for business and the business of art is one of the recurring questions I am asked by young, up-and-coming artists today. My serious advice is get a good book on basic business skills, do not compromise on your worth and not everything has to be free simply to give you 'exposure'. Also, it is really important to pick your business partnerships wisely. Go with your gut. If something doesn't feel right, then more often than not it won't be. So do not be afraid to say no, or to sever toxic business relationships from which the other party part gains everything and you gain nothing.”

Siddiqa Juma, Contemporary Islamic Artist.



“İngiliz Çağdaş İslam sanatçısıyım. 4 çocuk annesi, 2 çocuk büyükannesiyim.
Çocukluğundan beri resim yapıyorum. 2010'dan beri bu işi profesyonel olarak sürdürüyorum. Hayatımı sanat olmadan hayal edemem.
Zanzibar'da doğdum, Tanzanya'da büyüdüm. 8 yaşındayken bir resmimin yerel bir gazetede yayınlandığını hatırlıyorum.
Neden resim yaptığımı tam olarak açıklayamam. Aile üyelerim için resimler yaptım. Çocuklarımın portrelerini yaptım. İnancım, İslam her zaman en büyük ilham kaynağım oldu. Sanat benim için aldığım nefes gibi. Sadece bir tür meditasyon değil, aynı zamanda düşüncelerimi ve yaratıcı gücümü aktardığım bir yol.

Sanatçılar için yapılması gereken ilk şey sanat okullarına zorunlu işletme dersi koymak. Yaşamlarını sürdürebilmek için sanatı nasıl ticarete dökebileceklerini öğretmek.
Sanatçıların çoğu ticarete yatkın değil. Önerim temel işletme bilgilerini içeren iyi bir kitap alınması.
Sanatçılar değerlerinden taviz vermemeli. Reklamınız için bedavaya çalışmak zorunda değilsiniz. Ayrıca iş ortaklıklarını iyi seçmek gerek. Hislerinize güvenin. Eğer bir şey doğru hissettirmiyorsa çoğunlukla doğru değildir. O yüzden 'hayır' demekten korkmayın. Aksi halde her şeyi karşı taraf kazanırken siz eliniz boş kalabilirsiniz.”

Siddiqa Juma, Çağdaş İslam Sanatçısı.





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