Ranaa Farooq is a British abstract painter working from Meanwhile Space Studios at Bloc Projects in Sheffield. Her journey into art began during a pivotal moment of self reflection during the Covid pandemic. After years of working as a GP within the NHS, she found herself yearning for something deeper—a way to express the parts of herself that had been suppressed by societal and cultural expectations. This realisation ignited a powerful transformation, leading her to explore self-discovery through painting.
She has participated in both group and solo shows. She won the people’s choice award for her painting titled ‘Hope’ in the Fronteer Open in 2021 and was awarded first place at the D31 Winter exhibition prize in 2022 for her painting ‘It is within you’. She was the winner of the abstract category at Art in the Gardens at Sheffield's Botanical gardens in 2022.
My works are an intuitive exploration of texture and colour, culminating in vibrant and meditative pieces, which I hope elicit emotion and contemplation in the observer. In each brushstroke, I aim to capture a moment of connection with something deeper and more spiritual—a visual dance between the conscious and subconscious mind. I call my paintings 'my meditations' because I aim to lower the noise of my conscious mind and allow the painting to flow from within. I am deeply interested in what emerges when we give up control of a specific outcome, and instead trust our innate creativity.
My paintings are usually acrylic on canvas with underlying texture. I begin by adding texture pastes to the canvas. This tactile process helps me feel connected to the work and rooted in the present moment. The cracks and rough patches that emerge serve as more than just visual elements—they symbolise the richness and depth of human experience.
I trust my intuition when placing colours on the canvas. I often juxtapose smoother, neutral tones with vibrant bursts of energetic brushstrokes, guided by an intuitive sense of balance and harmony. In my art, I personally interpret dark tones as symbolizing the depths of life's journey, emerging organically from within the canvas. For me, intuitively placed bursts of radiant white light evoke moments of hope and love. However, as with all abstract art, interpretation is subjective, and viewers are encouraged to find their own meanings within the artwork. I am particularly drawn to circle shaped canvases perhaps for their symbolism of unity and continuity. Having no beginning nor an end, they mirror the infinite possibilities of human existence.
Art has been a source of personal healing for me. My journey has shown me the power of self-awareness and the profound influence of our thoughts. Now, as a trained transformational life coach, I am also dedicated to helping others unlock their inner potential, while continuing to explore the depths of my own subconscious mind through abstract painting.
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