Mohammed Azmi

Growing up in the Birmingham inner cities during the 70’s, confined my exposure to art. The annual visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery was the only glimpse of colour having been applied other than covering up out dated wallpaper. I would draw and colour when given the chance and without realising it at the time, this was a means to live in a world were I had control and direction, to escape from the challenges I faced.

Progression extended when the coloured pencils were swapped for watercolours received on one birthday. The ball rolled further with acrylics and then oils. However, with education, a family and then practising as a Barrister (for these last 20 years), the paint brush surfaced to only a flower painting for my wife each valentines.

The passion twinkled, until I decided to go with my feelings, more of a listening to my heart than following my mind. Swarovski Crystals and applying them to canvas provided the fuel which ignited the desire. Crystals have a certain energy and their reflective radiance provides all that I need to capture a feeling.

Going for it, exhibitions flowed and so by day I am in court, come the afternoon that special time with my family, leaving the night open to capture the beauty I wish to portray. My work has led me across a number of countries. I was delighted that His Excellency Majid Ali Al-Mansori (Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, Abu Dhabi) purchased a set of four falcon paintings for his personal collection ( Abu Dhabi, September 2017). At the same event the Royal Palace purchased an Arabic calligraphy painting. I have been fortunate to have ‘My Oman’, a painting presented to and at the palace of H.H. Sayyid Kamil bin Fhad of Oman ( Oman, February 2018). I have presented a portrait of the late Highness Sheikh Zayed of the U.A.E. to his grandson H.H. Sheikh Kalifah bin Sultan ( Abu Dhabi, September 2018) . . .

. . . My story develops but if I may say; give it a go, if you have a passion play with it. Let there never be a time where you look back and say if only . . .

All Artists