One of my greatest artistic inspirations came from visiting Richard Serra’s “Torqued Spheres” at the LA MOMA. Walking through his massive artworks I realized that representational art was no longer my focus…I was more enthralled with the art experience than the art object itself.
I generally do not create portraits, landscapes, or still-life, although my paintings may provoke a sense of depth or location, or subtly hint at physical formations like mountains and rivers. I prefer my art to provoke a somewhat mystical sensation. My art is not representational of my physical surroundings, and because of its abstract qualities, I hope that my art is able to bridge the gap between ideologies by exposing the parallels of Abrahamic, Dharmic, and Taoic religions. My artworks represent a personal struggle to understand my own faith, the faith of others, and to seek the common elements between our different religions. Concepts such as serving others, hope, God-consciousness, respect, tolerance, and most importantly, love manifest themselves in my works.
I believe that the most volatile challenge facing the world today is not based on skin color, gender, class, or race; it is a based on a fundamental ignorance about the true beliefs and faiths of others. Some of the art I see is more like an attack or assault on the viewer, with a sure purpose to alienate. My response to this is to create more works of introspective beauty possessing meditative, transcendental qualities. I understand the want for some artists to shock their audience. However, I firmly believe that the purpose and value of art in today’s society is to bridge the perceived gap in theological concepts by creating a stimulating environment in which dialog and exploration of our interfaith commonalities can occur.
With my art I hope to inform my audience, to inspire, and to prove that Muslim women are not oppressed by our religion; and to the contrary, are encouraged and inspired to live peaceful, fulfilling lives.
I prefer to think that my art is influenced by my beliefs but not defined by them. I sometimes integrate “traditional” designs with stereotype-breaking content. And while my artworks can stand alone as abstract constructions, I am more interested in drawing out the discussion and dialog surrounding art rooted in modern religious conflict.
-Janet Aly
Upcoming Exhibitions
Love and Lust: A Celebration of the Body, Feb., 2009, Side Show Studios, Sacramento, CA
Let Me Call You SweetheaART, Feb., 2009, Archival Framing, Sacramento, CA
SABA Public Interest Foundation's Silent Auction, March 2009, Los Angeles, CA
Solo Exhibition, May 2009, Sacramento Natural FoodsCo-op, Sacramento, CA
Solo Exhibition, Archival Framing, August 2009, Sacramento, CA
Selected Exhibitions
Bird, Tangent Gallery, January, 2009, Sacramento, CA
New Works, New Year, December-January 2009
Islamic Society of Long Island Fundraising Dinner and Auction, November, 2008, Long Island, NY
2008 Crocker Holiday Art and Craft Festival, December 2008, Sacramento, CA
KVIE Art Auction, September 2008, Sacramento, CA
Soil Born Farm Autumn Equinox Celebration, September 2008, Sacramento, CA
Spiritual Explorations, March-May 2008, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Sacramento, CA
Liturgical Arts Festival: Come Creative Spirit, May-June, 2008, Springfield, IL
Art Auction Fundraiser for SABA Public Interest Foundation, April 2008, Los Angeles, CA
Islamic Art Exhibition, February 2008, Part of an Annual Symposium on Relations Between the United States and the Islamic World, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Black and White, January 2008, Tangent Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Holiday Bonanza, December 2007, CoolCat Gallery, Sacramento, CA Bangles, Baubles &
Beads, December 2007, Archival Framing, Sacramento, CA
Where Soul Meets Body, November 2007, Archival Framing, Sacramento, CA
International Muslim Artists Exhibition, Oct.-Nov. 2007, New Orleans African
American Museum of Art, Culture and History, New Orleans, LA
Soil Born Farm Autumn Equinox Celebration, September 2007, Sacramento, CA
Chalk it up to Sacramento!, September 2007, Sacramento, CA
Collage Show, August 2007, Phantom Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Painting for Paws! 2007, CoolCat Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Two Person Exhibition, 2007, Rinnovare Salon, Folsom, CA
Poker Run, 2006,Invitational Art Exhibit, Tower Framing & Design Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Baker’s Dozen, 2006, Tower Framing & Design Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Moving Sale, 2006, Tower Framing & Design Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Small Treasures, 2005, Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Sacramento, CA
Electronic Expressions, 2005, Witt Gallery, CSU Sacramento, CA
Studio Café Show, 2004, Sacramento, CA
Amalgam-Graduating Senior Exhibition, 2004, CSU Sacramento, CA
Two Person Show, 2004, Four Corners Art and Framing, Folsom, CA
Art Club Show, 2003, Witt Gallery, CSU Sacramento, Sacramento CA
Holiday Art Show, 2002, Sacramento City College, Sacramento CA
Bodies of Work
Spiritual Explorations, Acrylic Paintings, Paper Collages
Where Soul Meets Body, Acrylic Paintings on Masonite and Canvas, 2007
Digital Geometries, Digital Artworks, 2004
100 Drawings, Charcoal and Pastel, 2004
Grants, Awards & Honors
New Orleans City Council Proclamation, Feb. 19, 2008. In recognition of participation in the First International Art Exhibition in conjunction with the Second Annual Symposium on Relations between the United States and the Islamic World
New Orleans City Council Proclamation, October 13, 2007. In recognition of artistic contribution to the International Muslim Artist Exhibition
Guest Artist, Lights On After School-BRIDGES, Deterding Elementary School, Carmichael, CA
“A Room for the Future,” The Sacramento Bee, Saturday, May 20, 2006
Winner’s Page, Spirit Link Gallery, July, 2006 (http://spiritlink.com/gallery.html)
President of the CSUS Art Club, February to June, 2004
CSUS Foundation Project Activity Grant, 2004
“What it Takes: Sacramento Women in the Arts.” Interviewed for Independent Film, 2004
Honorary Award Recognition in 26th Annual Edition of the National Dean’s List
Commissions
Paintings Spring and Fall, Richard Earlich, Counseling Center, Sacramento City College, Sacramento, California, 2001.
Education
CSU Sacramento, California. Bachelor of Arts, Art, Magna Cum Laude, 2004
Sacramento City College, California. Associate of Arts, Art Studio, 2002.
President’s Highest Honors Fall ‘00, ‘01; President’s Honors Spring ‘00
Memberships & Volunteering
1998-2008, Capital Gold Region/State Competition Volunteer Judge, Odyssey of the Mind
2001-Present, Member, Islamic Artists Society
2007-Present, Member, International Muslim Artist’s Network (IMAN)
August 2007-July 2008, Coordination of Monthly Art Exhibitions at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Sacramento, CA