ZENI SHARIFF
The Cranes
Thread, Cotton
ARTIST STATEMENT
Why I Recreated “Cranes” - I recreated “Cranes” because I was inspired by a similar embroidered artwork that I had purchased from Suzhou, Jiangsu, China about ten years ago. “Cranes” fascinates me even today; I find myself drawn to art from China and Iran. Perhaps, it is my grandfather’s influence. His heritage was Indo-Persian. As a child, I loved going to my grandparents’ home. I would observe my grandparents’ genuine rapport with people from around the world: native Tanzanians, Arabs, and particularly, the Chinese.
My grandparents adored scents and perfumes from the Arab world. They also loved Chinese artwork, and These were delicate, exquisite with a very, fine workmanship. I admired these artifacts through my childhood.The original “Cranes” are mounted on a glass sphere. I am concerned that if this artifact were ever to break, I would really miss it. This thought inspired me to recreate the “Cranes”, in two mediums: watercolor and embroidery.
ARTIST BIO
Zeni Shariff is a self-taught artist who stepped into the art world to overcome difficult circumstances: the death of both her parents within forty days of each other in 2005. For Zeni, art was a way to express, and a venue to move forward by celebrating the special moments and years with her family.
Now, the art flows through her. Her work is inspired by nature, textures, and textiles. Zeni has exhibited her work at the following locations from 2005 to present:
Sunnybrook Hospital
Markham Arts Council
Markham Group of Artists
Diamond Jubilee Toronto Arts Festival by the Ismaili Centre Toronto
In 2020, published a children’s book which was illustrated (33) paintings done in watercolor and acrylic) and written by Zeni Shariff “Little One, You are the Universe. Details are on Zeni’s webpage: https://little-one.ca.
