Imani Bilal

Art Brokerage: Imani Bilal American Artist: b. 1983. Imani Bilal is a contemporary abstract painter and poet. Her work is deeply inspired by her Islamic faith. As she explains, "I strive to convey the notion of Tawheed (oneness), the idea of primordial matter, chaos, and calm; of all things sharing a source and being connected to an infinite mound, inclusive of the human experience." Working with acrylic and resin, Bilal, who has been experimenting with paint since childhood, has since developed a unique process of her own. Bilal often paints while seated on the floor to pour her whole body into the composition, using her hands, found objects, and hand-crafted brushes, to create an array of effects. Islamic art focuses on the spiritual essence of things rather than their physical qualities, a concept which is at the heart of Bilal's practice. Bilal admires the graphic artist and sculptor Elizabeth Catlett, Color field painter and lyrical abstractionist Sam Gilliam, and Color field painter Morris Louis but finds creative insight in everyday people as well. She is captivated by the human capacity to endure struggle. Rooted in a connection to mankind, Bilal says in painting to express herself, she also paints to communicate with others, hoping her work sparks powerful emotion. Listings wanted.