Aisha Caan is known as an abstract painter, influenced by religion and science and inspired by Abstract Expressionist Artists. Her work is centred round the Creation of the Universe and its Creator Aisha refers to this Creator as the ‘Sublime’.

The Essence of God and the Creation of the Universe has been a very integral source of inspiration in her paintings. Trying to express this unknown phenomenon in a form of Fine Art, is not easy, because no matter what medium she may choose, it is a form of physical matter, trying to express something that is not physical, or representational. However, by using Arabic calligraphy, extracts of verses from the Quran and other holy scriptures, and trying to create luminosity within her work, a form of religious / sacred art is being created within the framework of contemporary art.

The creation of the universe series has required Aisha to research into every aspect of Creation through both science and religion. The discoveries of the scientific theories from the beginning of time to every aspect of God’s creation and the verses in the sacred scriptures, especially in the Quran, have made the existence of life so much easier for her to comprehend. Furthermore, where the texts expound in great detail about the expansion of the universe, the galaxies and stars, how the night and day alternate each other in perfect harmony and of course how God created human life from a clot of blood and put His spirit into it, which is the soul and spirit of our existence.

Aisha has drawn a link in her art practice, where both religion and science are congruent. This is because all three disciplines are integral and are the source of her inspiration. This unity between art, science and religion has and will continue to be intrinsic within her art practice, as she feels there is an element of spirituality amongst each of these disciplines, which is the essence of her work.

The Aisha Caan Foundation

Aisha Caan Foundation (ACF) was set up in October 2008. The Foundation is registered under the Charities Aid Foundation, an organisation that is a registered charity (number 268369), governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 2 October 1974. It was founded by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) vision is to motivate society to give ever more effectively, transforming lives and communities around the world. CAF aims to be an integrated customer focussed organisation for donors and charities that stimulates giving, social investment and the effective use of funds for the third sector. In 2008/09 CAF helped individuals and companies give £372m (2007/08 £368m) to tens of thousands of charities. We also offer award winning financial services to charities; in 2008/09 £2.5bn of charitable funds were held for charities and donors.

The ACF was set up because all the profits from the sales of Aisha’s paintings are donated to her Foundation. Aisha is very concerned about people who are ‘less fortunate’ and ‘more needy’ than the average man on the street.

She dedicates a substantial amount of her time creating art work. ‘Time’, she says is a ‘luxury’ and is very precious. A full day’s work at her studio is therefore highly rewarding and purposeful as she feels that it is time invested in a worthy cause.

Aisha always works towards forthcoming exhibitions, where she sells her paintings, with the intention of generating revenue, purely for the cause of helping mankind.

She has had two solo exhibitions, both of which were sponsored by Banks.

Lloyds TSB Bank – Nov.2008. Aisha donated 33%of all revenue to Opportunity International and 33% to Aisha Caan Foundation

ING Bank – June 2009. Aisha donated 10% of all revenue to Chance for Children, 23% to the Agha Khan University and 33% to Aisha Caan Foundation.

Having generated some funds in her Foundation, Aisha is now embarking on her first philanthropic project, which is to set up an orphanage for girls in Pakistan. This is an area that is very dear to her heart. There is a constant reminder in the three Abrahamic Sacred scriptures, the Torah, The Bible & The Quran about being kind and fair to the fatherless and the orphans.

She is collaborating with Muslim Hands, a UK Charity Organisation. Aisha will fund the construction of the orphanage and Muslim Hands will manage and maintain it. Attached to the orphanage is the Halima School of Excellence for Girls. Muslim Hands try and co-ordinate all their projects to enable maximum support and provisions to all those who are less fortunate and more needy individuals and communities.

Aisha also takes a great interest in Education, in countries that have very low literacy rates. She has worked on a few projects with The Citizens Foundation in Pakistan, and has helped set up the Abdul Rashid Campus and the Zuleikha Amin Campus in Lahore Visit: www.thecitizensfoundation.org