Nina Ashraf Asmi
Instagram:
Artist Statement:
Drawing is at the core of my creative practice. I prefer drawing from life, as it affords an intimacy which is not possible with photographs. The poetic line, thick and thin, hesitant and confident, straight and wandering keeps me coming back to drawing. The geometric symbols used in the art have a philosophical meaning in the eastern tradition. In my art I strive to eliminate the superfluous and focus on the essence.
Bio:
Influenced simultaneously by the fiery colors, textures, and patterns of her youth and the minimalist aesthetics of Japanese art, her work reflects the tension she feels between exuberant celebration and quiet meditation.
She draws on her cultural heritage of miniature painting and calligraphy to explore themes of contradiction, abstraction and unity. Her work has been exhibited internationally, and she is the recipient of several awards including, most recently, a medal for her work in the XII Florence Biennale exhibition (Italy, 2021)
Awards and Selected Shows
2024
“Language of the Heart”, Gallerie Camille, Detroit, MI
”Hot DAM”, Detroit Artist market, Detroit, MI
Michigan Fine Arts, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI
Gilda Snowden Memorial Exhibition, Scarab Club, Detroit, MI
Cancer Fundraiser, Writers Theater, Chicago
“Welcome to Detroit” GPAA Gallery, Grosse Pointe, MI
“When There Are Nine”, Kayrod Gallery, Detroit, MI
2023
“Asemic Writing”, Detroit Artist Market, Detroit, MI
“Her Story”, Janice Charach Gallery, West Bloomfield, MI
“When There are Nine”, Village Theater, Canton, MI
2022
“When There Are Nine”, Kayrod Gallery, Detroit; Scarab Club 109th Annual Gold Medal Show, Detroit, MI
“Inside Out, Outside In”, Solo Show, NCA Gallery, Detroit, MI
2021
“Faces and Figures”, Flagler County Art League, Florida; Florence Biennale, Italy; Ellen Kayrod Gallery at the Hannaan Center, Detroit, MI
Medal for Drawing, Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy
Ist place, Eva Briggs Award for Abstract Art, Birmingham, MI
2020
1st Prize Ellen Kayrod Gallery, Hannaan Center, Detroit MI Show
“Woman’s work”, Black Box Gallery, Dearborn, MI
Honorable Mention Black Box Gallery, Dearborn, MI Group Show
2019
Poetry Art Annual, SHAC Village Fine Arts Association, Milford, MI Group Show
1st Prize SHAC Village Fine Arts Association
2018
“Coming Home”, 14 East, Detroit, MI
1st Prize Best of Show, Madonna University, Kresge Gallery
Group show, Caar Center Detroit, MI
Solo Show 14 East, Detroit, MI
2017
“Simply Human”, Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton, MI
Group show, Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit
Solo show. Village Theatre Gallery, Canton, MI
2016
Group show. Woods Gallery, Huntington Woods, MI
1st place, Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, Juried show, Visions
Ist place, Eva Briggs Award for Abstract Art, Birmingham
Padtzieski Gallery, Dearborn, Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, Juried Show
DAM Biennial All Media Exhibition, Detroit, MI Show
2015
1st place Detroit Society Of Women Painters and Sculptors Juried Show, Femmes Detroit
Our Town Art Show and Sale, Birmingham, MI Juried Show
2014
3rd place “Fine Arts Competition” Huron Valley Fine Arts Competition
Honorable Mention “University of Michigan Fine Arts Competition”
2013
“Sanctuary”, Wooden Spoon, Brighton
2012
Gold Medal Award:“Our Town Art Show and Sale”, Birmingham, MI,
2011
Eva Briggs Award for Abstract Painting – Birmingham Art Center
Affiliations and Memberships:
Detroit Artist Market, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. NCA Michigan.