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{{short description|Indian artist, living in North America|bot=PearBOT 5}}
'''Salma Arastu''' (born 1950, Rajasthan, India) is an [[India]]n [[artist]], living in [[North America]].<ref name=toi>{{cite news|url=http://www.salmaarastu.com/bio.php |title=welcome to salma arustu |publisher=Salma Arustu |accessdate=2014-05-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230220/http://www.salmaarastu.com/bio.php |archivedate=May 23, 2014 }}</ref><ref name=hersite>
{{like resume|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}}
'''Salma Arastu'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Resume – Salma Arastu |url=https://salmaarastu.com/about/salma-arastu-resume/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=salmaarastu.com}}</ref> (born 1950, [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]) is an internationally exhibited woman [[artist]] known for her unique global perspective, reflecting her diverse cultural background and experiences. Born in Rajasthan, India, Aratsu pursued her formal education in Fine Arts at [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|Maharaja Sayajirao University]] in [[Vadodara|Baroda]], India. She was raised in the Sindhi and Hindu traditions and later embraced Islam and moved to the USA in 1986, currently residing in California. As a woman, artist, and mother, Arastu's creative endeavors aim to foster harmony and express the universality of humanity through various art forms, including paintings, sculpture, and poetry.<ref name="toi">{{cite news|url=http://www.salmaarastu.com/bio.php |title=welcome to salma arustu |publisher=Salma Arustu |access-date=2014-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230220/http://www.salmaarastu.com/bio.php |archive-date=23 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="hersite">
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.salmaarastu.com/about.htm
|url=http://www.salmaarastu.com/about.htm
|title=Bio: Salma Arastu
|title=Bio: Salma Arastu
|publisher=
|publisher=
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|access-date=2007-04-23
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231172218/http://www.salmaarastu.com/about.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231172218/http://www.salmaarastu.com/about.htm
|archivedate=2006-12-31
|archive-date=2006-12-31
|deadurl=yes
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name="a-i-site">
|df=
}}</ref><ref name=a-i-site>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.iaac.us/art_exhibition/salma_arastu/bio.htm
|url=http://www.iaac.us/art_exhibition/salma_arastu/bio.htm
Line 15: Line 18:
|publisher=[[Indo-American Arts Council]]
|publisher=[[Indo-American Arts Council]]
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|accessdate=2007-04-23
}}</ref><ref name=sawcc>
}}</ref><ref name="sawcc">
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.sawcc.org/emergency_artists.html
|url=http://www.sawcc.org/emergency_artists.html
|title=SAWCC: Shaken and Stirred Visual Arts
|title=SAWCC: Shaken and Stirred Visual Arts
|publisher=SAWCC.org
|publisher=SAWCC.org
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|access-date=2007-04-23
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428175007/http://www.sawcc.org/emergency_artists.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428175007/http://www.sawcc.org/emergency_artists.html
|archivedate=2007-04-28
|archive-date=2007-04-28
|deadurl=yes
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name="skidmore">
|df=
}}</ref><ref name=skidmore>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/arthistory/ah369/contemporarysite.ht
|url=http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/arthistory/ah369/contemporarysite.ht
Line 31: Line 33:
|publisher=skidmore.edu
|publisher=skidmore.edu
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|accessdate=2007-04-23
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Arastu is a native of [[Rajasthan]] and had a masters in fine arts from MS University in Baroda.<ref name=toi/> Arastu's main mediums include clay sculpture, paper mache, and print work. She has also worked extensively with calligraphy and produces greeting cards for the American Muslim community.<ref>Moore, Haddad, Smith (2006) p. 139</ref> Arastu has been exhibiting her paintings for over last thirty years in [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Kuwait]], [[Germany]] and the [[United States]], having more than thirty solo and group exhibitions.<ref name=a-i-site/><ref name=skidmore/><ref name=ncwca>
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> She has also worked extensively with calligraphy and produces greeting cards for the American Muslim community.<ref>Moore, Haddad, Smith (2006) p. 139</ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.ncwca.org/newsletter.php
|title=Women's Caucus for Art: Northern California Chapter
|publisher=ncwca.org
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214075043/http://www.ncwca.org/newsletter.php
|archivedate=2006-12-14
|deadurl=yes
|df=
}}</ref> Furthermore, her work has been placed in many museums around world for example, "State Museum of Art, Harrisburg, PA" and "Museum Of Modern Art, Hyderabad, India".<ref name=hersite/><ref name=mesart.com>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mesart.com/biography.jsp.que.artist.eq.3256.shtml
|title=Biography: Salma Arastu
|publisher=mesart.com
|accessdate=2007-04-23
}}</ref>
Her exhibitions have been held in notable places e.g. "Stanford Art Spaces", [[Stanford University]], "art Museum", [[Radford University]],<ref name=radford>
{{cite web
|url = http://rumuseum.asp.radford.edu/past_years/04_05_season/04_05_season.htm
|title = RU Museum Current Exhibitions
|publisher = radford.edu
|accessdate = 2007-04-23
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070717204856/http://rumuseum.asp.radford.edu/past_years/04_05_season/04_05_season.htm
|archivedate = 2007-07-17
|df =
}}</ref><ref name=starford>
{{cite web
|url=http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros/show56.html
|title=SAS Exhibition
|publisher=stanford.edu
|accessdate=2007-04-23
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609151708/http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros/show56.html
|archivedate=2007-06-09
|deadurl=yes
|df=
}}</ref><ref name=mercury>
{{cite web
|url=http://events.mercurynews.com/events/show/1117111-Illustrations-Paintings-
|title=illustration & Paintings, Stanford Galleries, San Jose Mercury News
|publisher=[[San Jose Mercury News]]
|accessdate=2007-04-02
}}</ref> and she has earned several awards for her work.<ref name=hersite/>


Arastu has been exhibiting her paintings for over last forty five years in [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Kuwait]], [[Germany]] and the [[United States]], having more than sixty solo and group exhibitions.<ref name="a-i-site" /><ref name="skidmore" /><ref name="ncwca">
== Selected solo exhibition ==
{{cite web |title=Women's Caucus for Art: Northern California Chapter |url=http://www.ncwca.org/newsletter.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214075043/http://www.ncwca.org/newsletter.php |archive-date=2006-12-14 |access-date=2007-04-23 |publisher=ncwca.org}}</ref> Furthermore, her work has been placed in many museums around world for example, State Museum of Art, Harrisburg, PA, Museum Of Modern Art, Hyderabad, India, [[Museum of Contemporary Religious Art]], St. Louis, Missouri, [[Triton Museum of Art]], Santa Clara, CA, [[National September 11 Memorial & Museum|9/11 Memorial Museum]], New York, NY, [[Islamic Museum of Australia]], Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.<ref name="hersite" /><ref name="mesart.com">
{{cite web |title=Biography: Salma Arastu |url=http://www.mesart.com/biography.jsp.que.artist.eq.3256.shtml |accessdate=2007-04-23 |publisher=mesart.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Her exhibitions have been held in notable places e.g. [[Stanford Art Spaces]], [[Stanford University]], Art Museum, [[Radford University]],<ref name="radford">
{{cite web |title=RU Museum Current Exhibitions |url=http://rumuseum.asp.radford.edu/past_years/04_05_season/04_05_season.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717204856/http://rumuseum.asp.radford.edu/past_years/04_05_season/04_05_season.htm |archive-date=2007-07-17 |access-date=2007-04-23 |publisher=radford.edu}}</ref><ref name="starford">
{{cite web |title=SAS Exhibition |url=http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros/show56.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609151708/http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros/show56.html |archive-date=2007-06-09 |access-date=2007-04-23 |publisher=stanford.edu}}</ref><ref name="mercury">
{{cite web |title=illustration & Paintings, Stanford Galleries, San Jose Mercury News |url=http://events.mercurynews.com/events/show/1117111-Illustrations-Paintings- |accessdate=2007-04-02 |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]}}</ref> and she has earned several awards for her work.<ref name="hersite" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Winston |first=Kimberly |date=2020-02-11 |title=With canvas and Quran, one artist aims to make Islamic calligraphy a universal language |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-02-11/islamic-calligraphy-art-salma-arastu |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oneness Projects – Connecting Humanity, Soil and Soul |url=https://onenessprojects.org/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=onenessprojects.org}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stories |first=Local |date=2023-04-24 |title=Meet Salma Arastu - Voyage LA Magazine {{!}} LA City Guide |url=http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-salma-arastu-of-berkeley/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=voyagela.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Artistic Style and Inspirations ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Neighbors visiting in Harrisburg State Museum.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''"Neighbors visting"'', in Harrisburg - State Museum of Pennsylvania]] -->
Arastu's art is deeply influenced by the imagery, sculpture, and writings of both her Indian heritage and Islamic spirituality.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Bio – Salma Arastu |url=https://salmaarastu.com/about/bio/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=salmaarastu.com}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
Salma Arastu has had more than thirty solo exhibitions and even many more group exhibitions.<ref name=hersite/><ref name=a-i-site/><ref name=mesart.com/><ref name=dailytargum>

The artist's experiences in different cultures around the world have further enriched her artistic style. While living and working in Iran and Kuwait, she was exposed to a wealth of Islamic arts and Arabic calligraphy, which continue to inspire her work to this day.<ref name=":1" />

== Exhibitions and recognition ==
Arastu's artistic achievements have led to invitations to various esteemed institutions and events. She presented her work and delivered talks at Stanford University, Commonwealth of San Francisco, Seattle University, Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, she was invited to Germany twice, once as a Resident Artist in Schwabisch Gmund in 2000 and later by the Westphalia Wilhelm University in Münster in 2011.<ref name=":0" />

In March 2018, Salma Arastu participated in a one-month Artist Residency Program in Morocco, hosted by the Green Olives art Gallery.<ref name=":1" />

Some of her awards are following.<ref name=":0" />

* 2020 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
* 2016 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
* 2015 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
* 2014 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
* 2014 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
* 2012 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
* 2005 Honorable Mention, Lehigh Art Alliance Show, Bethlehem, PA
* 2004 First Place, Northeastern Regional Art Show, Marywood University, Scranton, PA
* 2004 First Place, Lehigh Art Alliance Annual Show, Bethlehem, PA
* 2001 Honorable Mention, Berks Art Alliance Show, Reading Art Museum, Reading, PA
* 2001 Honorable Mention, Harrisburg Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA
* 2000 Quakertown National Bank Award, Lehigh Art Alliance Show, Bethlehem, PA

== Works and Themes ==
Arastu's works<ref name=":1" /> delve into themes of unity in diversity, hope, connection, celebration of the earth and women, and seeking oneness among humanity, soil, and soul. Her art carries a strong ecological consciousness, exemplified in her series "Mycelial Flow" and "Tiny Creatures: Our Invisible Sustainers." In these series, she explores the intricate relationships between organisms, drawing attention to the vital role of microbes in sustaining the ecosystem.<ref name=":3" />

Through her physical and meditative artistic process, Arastu fills her canvases with moving lines and multi-layered textures. She employs various materials, including paper, rope, modeling paste, paper-mache, copper plate, pen, and ink, to create mesmerizing compositions that reveal subliminal images.<ref name=":1" />

== Publications and legacy ==
Salma Arastu is also an accomplished writer, having authored and published five books on her art and poetry:

* ''Celebration of calligraphy''<ref name=":0" />
* ''Our Earth: Embracing All Communities''<ref name=":0" />
* ''The Lyrical Line''<ref name=":0" />
* ''Turning Rumi''<ref name=":0" />
* ''Unity of Sacred Texts and Symbols''<ref name=":0" />

Her dedication to creativity and love for creation have become sources of eternal joy and constant inspiration in her life. Through her art, Salma Arastu hopes to spread joy, blessings, and positive inspiration, reflecting her deep connection with humanity and the world around her.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />

== Selected Solo Exhibitions ==

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Neighbors visiting in Harrisburg State Museum.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''"Neighbors visting"'', in Harrisburg - State Museum of Pennsylvania]] -->
Salma Arastu has had more than sixty solo exhibitions and even more group exhibitions.<ref name="hersite" /><ref name="a-i-site" /><ref name="mesart.com" /><ref name="dailytargum">
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2004/12/13/University/Event.Showcases.Islam.Artists.Poets.Musicians-828394.shtml
|url=http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2004/12/13/University/Event.Showcases.Islam.Artists.Poets.Musicians-828394.shtml
|title=Event showcases Islam artists, poets, musicians
|title=Event showcases Islam artists, poets, musicians
|publisher=[[Daily Targum]]
|publisher=[[Daily Targum]]
|accessdate=2007-04-24
|access-date=2007-04-24
|deadurl=yes
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225632/http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2004/12/13/University/Event.Showcases.Islam.Artists.Poets.Musicians-828394.shtml
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225632/http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2004/12/13/University/Event.Showcases.Islam.Artists.Poets.Musicians-828394.shtml
|archivedate=2007-09-27
|archive-date=2007-09-27
}}</ref> Some of her selected solo exhibitions are following.<ref name=":0" />
|df=

}}</ref> Some of her selected solo exhibitions are following.
* 2023 We Are All One, Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery, San Ramon, CA
* 2021 Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Our Earth: Embracing All Communities, Albany, CA
* 2021 Think Round Fine Art, Meditations on Rumi, San Francisco, CA
* 2020 Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Memory Vignettes, Oakland, CA
* 2019 Graduate Theological Institute Library Gallery, Seeking Oneness, Berkeley, CA
* 2018 Arts at CIIS, Myth & Mystery, San Francisco, CA
* 2018 Musical Bridges Gallery, Celebrating the Art Of Calligraphy, San Antonio, TX
* 2017 ArtReach, First Congregational Church, Portland, OR
* 2016 Peninsula Art Museum, Burlingame, CA
* 2015 Multicultural Center, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
* 2015 Museum of Contemporary Religious Art. St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
* 2015 Levantine Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
* 2014 Robert Graves Gallery, Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, WA
* 2014 Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
* 2013 Art @ the Y, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
* 2013 Expressions Gallery, Berkeley, CA
* 2012 Dominican University Gallery, San Rafael, CA
* 2012 King Gallery, Unitarian Universalist at San Francisco, CA
* 2011 A temporary exhibition, Art in Embassies, US Department of State, US Embassy Rangoon, Burma
* 2011 Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, CA
* 2009 California Institute of Integral Studies Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
* 2009 Kalart Gallery, San Francisco, CA
* 2008 Community Gallery, Alta Bates, Berkeley, CA
* 2008 Hot Mango Pickle Gallery, Palo Alto, CA
* 2007 Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA
* 2007 Chandler Fine Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA


* 2006 September: Artjaz Gallery in Philadelphia, [[Pennsylvania|PA]]<ref name=hersite/><ref name=jaz>
* 2006 September: Artjaz Gallery in Philadelphia, [[Pennsylvania|PA]]<ref name=hersite/><ref name=jaz>
Line 122: Line 156:
* 2000 June: Sweet cream cafe gallery, Strousburg, [[Pennsylvania|PA]]
* 2000 June: Sweet cream cafe gallery, Strousburg, [[Pennsylvania|PA]]
* 2000 An Invitational exhibition of paintings and six-week residency program in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany. 15 March 2000 to the end of April 2000.
* 2000 An Invitational exhibition of paintings and six-week residency program in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany. 15 March 2000 to the end of April 2000.
== References ==
* 1999 Reading Art Museum. [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]<ref name=reading>
{{Reflist}}
{{cite web
|url=http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/exhibits/past/2001/070101_082601.html
|title=Reading Public Museum: Discovery Through Art, Science and Civilization
|publisher=[[Reading Public Museum]]
|accessdate=2007-04-24
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022452/http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/exhibits/past/2001/070101_082601.html
|archivedate=2007-09-27
|deadurl=yes
|df=
}}</ref>
* 1998 Art Gallery De Art Magic, Easton, PA
* 1998 Art Heritage, [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
* 1998 A Gallery, [[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|NY]]
* 1997 The Gallery at Northampton Community College, [[Bethlehem]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]
* 1997 Hub Gallery, Moravian College, [[Bethlehem]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]]
* 1993 Design Accent, [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]].
* 1992 Cedar Crest College, [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]].
* 1992 Powers Art Gallery, East Strousburg University, [[Pennsylvania|PA]].
* 1991 Fine Arts Commission, Rotunda Gallery, [[Bethlehem]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]].
* 1989 Springer Gallery, Allentown, PA.
* 1989 DuBois Gallery & Display Cases Maginnes Hall, [[Lehigh University]],
* 1989 John's United Church of Christ, Kutztown, PA. East Penn Emerging Art 1986 Boushari Gallery, [[Kuwait City]], [[Kuwait]].
* 1984 British Council Gallery, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
* 1981 Kala Bhavan Gallery, Hyderabad, [[India]].
* 1979 Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi, [[India]].
* 1978 Azad Gallery, Tehran, [[Iran]].
* 1977 Art Gallery, Hotel Intercontinental, [[Tehran]], [[Iran]].
* 1976 Kala Bhavan Gallery, [[Hyderabad district (India)|Hyderabad]], [[India]].
* 1975 Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad, India.
* 1973 Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, [[Calcutta]], [[India]].


== Notes ==
== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |last = Moore
{{reflist}}
|first = Kathleen M

|author2 = Haddad, Y
== References ==
|author3 = Smith, J
*{{cite book
|title = Muslim Women in America: The Challenge of Islamic Identity Today
| last=Moore | first=Kathleen M
|publisher = [[Oxford University Press]]
|author2=Haddad, Y |author3=Smith, J
|year = 2006
| title=Muslim Women in America: The Challenge of Islamic Identity Today
|isbn = 0-19-517783-5
| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]
|url-access = registration
| year=2006
|url = https://archive.org/details/muslimwomeniname00hadd
| isbn=0-19-517783-5
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
Line 179: Line 184:
|journal=[[PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art]]
|journal=[[PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art]]
|volume=25
|volume=25
|issue=3 |pages=20
|issue=3 |pages=20–25
|doi=10.1162/152028103322491656
|doi=10.1162/152028103322491656
|s2cid=57563836
}}
}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.salmaarastu.com/ Salma Arastu's Art Collection] (official website).
*[http://www.salmaarastu.com/ Salma Arastu's Art Collection] (official website).
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnPtWFsrzVI Salma Arastu's Video Artist Statement]
* Salma Arastu's Official [http://www.yourtruegreetings.com Islamic Greeting Cards and Arabic Calligraphy] collection.
* Salma Arastu's Official [http://www.yourtruegreetings.com Islamic Greeting Cards and Arabic Calligraphy] collection.
* [https://onenessprojects.org Oneness Projects]

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Arastu, Salma}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arastu, Salma}}
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[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:American Muslims]]
[[Category:Calligraphers of Arabic script]]
[[Category:Calligraphers of Arabic script]]
[[Category:American calligraphers]]
[[Category:American calligraphers]]
[[Category:Indian calligraphers]]
[[Category:Indian calligraphers]]
[[Category:American women artists of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American artists of Indian descent]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Women artists from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Women artists from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American women artists]]
[[Category:Indian artists]]
[[Category:American people of Indian descent]]

Latest revision as of 02:55, 25 July 2024

Salma Arastu[1] (born 1950, Rajasthan, India) is an internationally exhibited woman artist known for her unique global perspective, reflecting her diverse cultural background and experiences. Born in Rajasthan, India, Aratsu pursued her formal education in Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India. She was raised in the Sindhi and Hindu traditions and later embraced Islam and moved to the USA in 1986, currently residing in California. As a woman, artist, and mother, Arastu's creative endeavors aim to foster harmony and express the universality of humanity through various art forms, including paintings, sculpture, and poetry.[2][3][4][5][6] She has also worked extensively with calligraphy and produces greeting cards for the American Muslim community.[7]

Arastu has been exhibiting her paintings for over last forty five years in India, Iran, Kuwait, Germany and the United States, having more than sixty solo and group exhibitions.[4][6][8] Furthermore, her work has been placed in many museums around world for example, State Museum of Art, Harrisburg, PA, Museum Of Modern Art, Hyderabad, India, Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, St. Louis, Missouri, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA, 9/11 Memorial Museum, New York, NY, Islamic Museum of Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[3][9][1] Her exhibitions have been held in notable places e.g. Stanford Art Spaces, Stanford University, Art Museum, Radford University,[10][11][12] and she has earned several awards for her work.[3][13][14][15]

Artistic Style and Inspirations

[edit]

Arastu's art is deeply influenced by the imagery, sculpture, and writings of both her Indian heritage and Islamic spirituality.[16][13]

The artist's experiences in different cultures around the world have further enriched her artistic style. While living and working in Iran and Kuwait, she was exposed to a wealth of Islamic arts and Arabic calligraphy, which continue to inspire her work to this day.[16]

Exhibitions and recognition

[edit]

Arastu's artistic achievements have led to invitations to various esteemed institutions and events. She presented her work and delivered talks at Stanford University, Commonwealth of San Francisco, Seattle University, Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley, and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, she was invited to Germany twice, once as a Resident Artist in Schwabisch Gmund in 2000 and later by the Westphalia Wilhelm University in Münster in 2011.[1]

In March 2018, Salma Arastu participated in a one-month Artist Residency Program in Morocco, hosted by the Green Olives art Gallery.[16]

Some of her awards are following.[1]

  • 2020 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
  • 2016 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
  • 2015 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
  • 2014 City of Berkeley Individual artist grant, Berkeley, CA
  • 2014 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
  • 2012 East Bay Community Foundation’s "Fund for Artists", Oakland, CA
  • 2005 Honorable Mention, Lehigh Art Alliance Show, Bethlehem, PA
  • 2004 First Place, Northeastern Regional Art Show, Marywood University, Scranton, PA
  • 2004 First Place, Lehigh Art Alliance Annual Show, Bethlehem, PA
  • 2001 Honorable Mention, Berks Art Alliance Show, Reading Art Museum, Reading, PA
  • 2001 Honorable Mention, Harrisburg Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA
  • 2000 Quakertown National Bank Award, Lehigh Art Alliance Show, Bethlehem, PA

Works and Themes

[edit]

Arastu's works[16] delve into themes of unity in diversity, hope, connection, celebration of the earth and women, and seeking oneness among humanity, soil, and soul. Her art carries a strong ecological consciousness, exemplified in her series "Mycelial Flow" and "Tiny Creatures: Our Invisible Sustainers." In these series, she explores the intricate relationships between organisms, drawing attention to the vital role of microbes in sustaining the ecosystem.[15]

Through her physical and meditative artistic process, Arastu fills her canvases with moving lines and multi-layered textures. She employs various materials, including paper, rope, modeling paste, paper-mache, copper plate, pen, and ink, to create mesmerizing compositions that reveal subliminal images.[16]

Publications and legacy

[edit]

Salma Arastu is also an accomplished writer, having authored and published five books on her art and poetry:

  • Celebration of calligraphy[1]
  • Our Earth: Embracing All Communities[1]
  • The Lyrical Line[1]
  • Turning Rumi[1]
  • Unity of Sacred Texts and Symbols[1]

Her dedication to creativity and love for creation have become sources of eternal joy and constant inspiration in her life. Through her art, Salma Arastu hopes to spread joy, blessings, and positive inspiration, reflecting her deep connection with humanity and the world around her.[15][16]

Selected Solo Exhibitions

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Salma Arastu has had more than sixty solo exhibitions and even more group exhibitions.[3][4][9][17] Some of her selected solo exhibitions are following.[1]

  • 2023 We Are All One, Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery, San Ramon, CA
  • 2021 Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Our Earth: Embracing All Communities, Albany, CA
  • 2021 Think Round Fine Art, Meditations on Rumi, San Francisco, CA
  • 2020 Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Memory Vignettes, Oakland, CA
  • 2019 Graduate Theological Institute Library Gallery, Seeking Oneness, Berkeley, CA
  • 2018 Arts at CIIS, Myth & Mystery, San Francisco, CA
  • 2018 Musical Bridges Gallery, Celebrating the Art Of Calligraphy, San Antonio, TX
  • 2017 ArtReach, First Congregational Church, Portland, OR
  • 2016 Peninsula Art Museum, Burlingame, CA
  • 2015 Multicultural Center, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
  • 2015 Museum of Contemporary Religious Art. St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
  • 2015 Levantine Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2014 Robert Graves Gallery, Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, WA
  • 2014 Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
  • 2013 Art @ the Y, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
  • 2013 Expressions Gallery, Berkeley, CA
  • 2012 Dominican University Gallery, San Rafael, CA
  • 2012 King Gallery, Unitarian Universalist at San Francisco, CA
  • 2011 A temporary exhibition, Art in Embassies, US Department of State, US Embassy Rangoon, Burma
  • 2011 Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, CA
  • 2009 California Institute of Integral Studies Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
  • 2009 Kalart Gallery, San Francisco, CA
  • 2008 Community Gallery, Alta Bates, Berkeley, CA
  • 2008 Hot Mango Pickle Gallery, Palo Alto, CA
  • 2007 Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA
  • 2007 Chandler Fine Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
  • 2006 September: Artjaz Gallery in Philadelphia, PA[3][18]
  • 2005 September: The Hope Horn Gallery Scranton University, Scranton PA[3][19]
  • 2005 April: Penn State University gallery at Berks campus Reading PA
  • 2005 February: Radford University Art Museum, Radford University, Radford, VA[10]
  • 2004 May: The Art Alliance, Cornwell, Upstate New York
  • 2004 April: Gelabert Studios Gallery, New York, NY[2][3]
  • 2003 April: Artjaz Gallery, Philadelphia, PA[3][18]
  • 2003 April: Black Cultural Center, Lafayette College, and Easton, PA[20]
  • 2002 May: Barns and Noble, Broadway, New York
  • 2002 April: Open Space Gallery, Allentown, PA
  • 2000 September: ArtJaz Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2000 June: Sweet cream cafe gallery, Strousburg, PA
  • 2000 An Invitational exhibition of paintings and six-week residency program in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany. 15 March 2000 to the end of April 2000.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Resume – Salma Arastu". salmaarastu.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "welcome to salma arustu". Salma Arustu. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bio: Salma Arastu". Archived from the original on 31 December 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Indo-American Arts Council". Indo-American Arts Council. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  5. ^ "SAWCC: Shaken and Stirred Visual Arts". SAWCC.org. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  6. ^ a b "South Asian Women's Creative Collection". skidmore.edu. Retrieved 23 April 2007. [dead link‍]
  7. ^ Moore, Haddad, Smith (2006) p. 139
  8. ^ "Women's Caucus for Art: Northern California Chapter". ncwca.org. Archived from the original on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  9. ^ a b "Biography: Salma Arastu". mesart.com. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  10. ^ a b "RU Museum Current Exhibitions". radford.edu. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  11. ^ "SAS Exhibition". stanford.edu. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  12. ^ "illustration & Paintings, Stanford Galleries, San Jose Mercury News". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  13. ^ a b Winston, Kimberly (11 February 2020). "With canvas and Quran, one artist aims to make Islamic calligraphy a universal language". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Oneness Projects – Connecting Humanity, Soil and Soul". onenessprojects.org. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Stories, Local (24 April 2023). "Meet Salma Arastu - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Bio – Salma Arastu". salmaarastu.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Event showcases Islam artists, poets, musicians". Daily Targum. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2007.
  18. ^ a b "Art Jaz Gallery - Salma Arastu". artjaz. Retrieved 24 April 2007.
  19. ^ "The University of Scranton- The hope Horn Gallery". scranton.edu. Retrieved 24 April 2007.
  20. ^ "Work by Five Women Artists on Display at Black Cultural center". lafayette.edu. Retrieved 24 April 2007.

Further reading

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