What is art and how does
Hana Horack-Elyafi’s work resonate in the field?
Introduction by Athar Yarwar PhD
“Art depicts reality (or a version or fragment of it). But whose reality? In much mediaeval art, reality was divinity, often made manifest through an icon or sacred geometry. For Renaissance artists, the world was flesh. Other artists have exalted the subjective mind, fragments of biography, collisions of clashing perspectives, the behaviour of light
For Hana Horack-Elyafi, reality is divine. Her work depicts a mundane world suffused with the divine presence. This often leads to a playful humour. At other times, the artist is the infinitesimal seeker caught in infinite majesty, stripped to nothing and longing to be at one with everything. Traditional spiritual symbols are used in a heartfelt and personal way: the holy of holies is sent spinning into inner space; calligraphy brushes across the page like dust caught in a shaft of light. Hana seems, to me, to concentrate especially on reproducing qualities of light, or the colours of spiritual experience.
Hana’s work is deft, sincere, and moving. Unusually, perhaps, it can uplift the viewer, and provide—or hint at—a focus for contemplation.”
Hana has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the ING Discerning Eye and her work is in the collection of HRH Prince Charles.
Other comments on the artist’s work:
I had a look at your new website. It is very impressive. I now truly realise that I have been in the company of a distinguished artist. Anything that comes from the heart and soul will be of beauty and inspiration to others. I wish you every success in your future exhibits. May God continue to inspire and guide you. CS
Just visited your site, I was very happy to see your work. There is an invisible thing in it, a beauty, a spirituality, congratulations! Axel Kirchhoff
Work with integrity. Louise Balaam
Curriculum Vitae
HANA HORACK-ELYAFI 1965 Palestinian, German/Italian. Born in London
1983-86 BSc Hons Social Anthropology & Sociology, University of Ulster at Coleraine
1986-86 MA Islamic Societies & Cultures, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
1988-89 Wimbledon School of Art, Foundation Course
1990-92 MA Art & Architecture, Kent Institute of Art & Design, Canterbury
One Person Shows & Commissions
2023 Ewige Schönheit, Kaffeezeit, Wolfenbüttel. Exhibition of 19 pieces created over a year.
2022 Ewige Schönheit, Kaffeezeit, Wolfenbüttel. Exhibition of 19 pieces created over a year.
2019 The Holy Names of the Prophet (s) felt work installed in CSCA, Centre For Spirituality and Cultural Advancement, Feltham
2019 Ceramic mural at Sutton Women’s Centre, collaboration with Simon Honey and Team Imagineers
2018 Painted windows for the Acute Stroke Unit, St Helier Hospital, collaboration with Simon Honey and Team Imagineers
2018 Ceramic mural in St Helier Hospital, collaboration with Simon Honey and Team Imagineers
2017 The Beautiful Names of God, felt work installed in CSCA, Centre For Spirituality and Cultural Advancement, Feltham
2016 Yogananda, Reigate
2012 Jam Factory, Oxford
2010 Sartoria, Savile Row, London
2010 supperclub, London
2010 Sufi Muslim Council, The Hubb, Plaistow
2010 “The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names” Sutton Community Art in Empty Spaces Project
2007 Die Botschaft der Liebe, Caritas Graz-Seckau, Pfarrheim, Krieglach
2006 St Ruprecht Community Center, Klagenfurt
2006 Stadt Cafe, Ferlach
2006 Seckauberg, Caritas Graz-Seckau
2006 Freie Waldorf Schule, Graz
2006 Stift St Georgen am Längsee
2006 “Die Botschaft der Liebe”, Au Schlößl, Caritas Graz-Seckau
Group Shows
2020 Locals’ Diaries, Honeywood Museum
2019 CAOS, Carshalton Artists Open Studios
2018 CAOS, Carshalton Artists Open Studios
2017 CAOS, Carshalton Artists Open Studios
2013 “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, The Portico Gallery, London
2012 “Snap!” SLWA, Bankside Gallery, London
2011 Art in Woodstock, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
2010 Islington Arts Factory, Summer Salon
2010 Rainbow Lights – lead artist Imagine Arts Festival Sutton
2010 Battersea Contemporary Art Fair
2010 Calligraphy presented to HRH Prince Charles at the Spirituality in Action Day, Manchester
2010 “In the Mix” jgallery, Northampton, Spring Open
2010 “Winter Blues 4” Eggspace, Liverpool
2009 ING Discerning Eye, The Mall Galleries, London
2009 “Concorso 30 x 30” Galleria Poliedro, Trieste
2009 “1st International Ex Libris Competition”, Ex Libris association of Vojvodina, Serbia
2009 Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition
2009 “Collettiva Ljubliana”, Galleria Poliedro Collective, at Galerija Laterna, Cnomelj, Ljubliana
2009 “Love”, The Corner Gallery, London
2008-9 “neoespressionismo onirico e surrealismo fantastico”, Museo del Arte e Tradizione Popolari Casa Arta Scuola Civica di Musica di Latina: Rome
2008 Prizewinner: International Painting Competition “Concorso 30×30”, Galleria Poliedro, Trieste
2008 “Water, Beaches & Aquatic Creatures,” The Corner Gallery, London
2008 “The Silk Road”, community art project, led by Samia Tossio for the Sutton Imagine Festival: sponsored by Arts Council of England & Sutton Council
2008 “Angels”, group exhibition, Pancevo, Serbia
2008 Ex Libris exhibition, “Lighthouse”, Historical Archive of Pancevo, Serbia
2007-8 Austrian Art Association Gallery, Klagenfurt, Austria
2007 Representing Austria at the Festival des Beaux Arte Plastique, Monastir, Tunisia
2007 “Engeln”, Group Show – Ferlacher Werkstadt, Town Hall, Ferlach
2007 “Verbreite das Licht”, installation with Silvia Norden, RC Church, Ferlach, Austria
2006 Ferlacher Werkstadt, Town Hall, Ferlach, Austria
2006 Artists’ Symposium, Krumpendorf, Kärntner Caritas Verband, Austria
2006 Artist in Residence, International Malerwoche, Suetschach, Austria
1994 Set Design, Fringe Theater, Hong Kong
1994 “Aids Art”, Cafe 97, Hong Kong
1992 “DIPTIK”, Acte de Naissance (Lille) curated exhibition in France and Belgium
1990 Wimbledon School of Art Centenary Show, Savoy Hotel, London
Hana Horack-Elyafi 