Halima caselle biography of michael
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Both shows, co-curated by Brookfield Properties and Crafts Council, celebrate the best in British contemporary craft for their joint milestone anniversary of five years of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award and 20 years of the Collect art fair. From these foundations she developed a mature and recognisable sculptural voice: strong geometric structures, carved surfaces, repeated rhythms and a sense of movement that appears to pulse through the form.
1975
Born in Pakistan, brought up in Lancashire and now living and working in Shropshire, Halima Cassell MBE brings a rich, multi-cultural perspective to her practice. Her richly multicultural background is a powerful influence that resonates throughout her work.
Halima's natural creativity emerged early and was carefully nurtured through an art-based education.
Her work is a compelling fusion of cultural influences—rooted in her Asian heritage, inspired by African patterning, and driven by a deep fascination with architectural geometry.
What are the roots of her fascination with carved space? At the moment, I'm working on some commissions and project works that I can't wait to show the public.”
About the Artist
Born in 1975 in Kashmir, Pakistan, and raised in the north-west of England, Halima now lives and works in Shropshire.
Both shows are on until 26th September 2024, and are free and accessible to all, testament to Brookfield Properties' mission to culturally regenerate London's Square Mile, through thoughtfully led art placemaking projects to enhance the well-being of workers and visitors.
And so without further ado, over to Halima…
“In my practice, I like to experiment with architecture, mathematics, and geometry found in nature.
It seems appropriate to me to be using the clay vessels as a metaphor for the human race as we all come from the earth and it’s this same earth that we shall all return to. I strive for my carved sculptures to speak volumes of fluency – with their playful manipulation of tapering planes, hollows and voids.
"My own cultural upbringing of rich textiles and jewellery reflecting Asian geometric patterns played a big part, too. If you are able to contribute clay, this would include you. I feel my passion for architectural geometry is partly linked to my upbringing in the North-West of England. Lastly, I work out the direction of the overall piece before carving.
She often begins with simple shapes, using them as a framework for complex relief carving and dramatic shifts in contour. Each of the four processes has its own technical issues, and if done cautiously, it eliminates any mistakes and setbacks.”
“From a very young age, my love and curiosity about materials have greatly influenced my creative thinking.
I would like my work to be as accessible to the public as possible, and it's great to know both shows will be free to the public on both Brookfield Properties' sites.”
“'Virtues of Unity' symbolises the importance of unity, respect, and empathy for one another through understanding our similarities as humans, rather than what superficially divides us with our differences in culture, religion, status, background, and colour.”
Over the last months, I've worked mainly for the opening of my solo show and 5&20 as winner of the 2024 Brookfield Properties Craft Award.
It’s for these reasons above that we were eager to chat to Halima about her career in craft to date, as well as learn more about both her solo show with Brookfield Properties, and the 5&20 showcase, in collaboration with Crafts Council.
Halima's solo show at 30 Fenchurch Street is one of the two exhibitions co-curated by Brookfield Properties and Crafts Council for their joint milestone anniversary of five years of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award and 20 years of Collect Art Fair.
While Halima's solo show celebrates her as the winner of the 2024 Brookfield Properties Craft Award (leading contemporary craft award in the U.K.), '5&20' at 99 Bishopsgate celebrates the best in British contemporary craft with over 30 rarely seen artworks on display from the Crafts Council Collection.
As a curious person, I enjoy experimenting to implement new materials in my work.”
“Because I love nature and don't like to alter the material's natural characteristics and colour where possible, when observing my carved surfaces and structures, I am always fascinated by how light and shadow alter the perception of the work and the ever-changing interplay and drama it creates with these elements.”
“As winner of the 2024 Brookfield Properties Craft Award, my work will be shown in two new exhibitions, a retrospective solo show at 30 Fenchurch Street and the '5&20' group show at 99 Bisphosphate.
This duality is central to her work.
In 2021 Cassell was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours for her services to art.