"Stand to pray all Night except a little, Half of it or a little less than that,
or a little more. And recite the Qur’ân (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style
for we shall charge thee with a word of weight. Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time)
when impression is more keen and speech more certain."
~Holy Qur'an 73: 2-6
"And, indeed, We created man from sounding clay, out of dark inorganic matter."
~Holy Qur'an 15: 26
"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations
and tribes, that you may know one another."
~Holy Qur'an 49: 13
"Mankind were but ONE community; then they differed..."
~10:19, Holy Qur'an
"O people! Your Lord is one. No Arab is superior to a Persian; no Persian is superior to
an Arab; no red man is superior to a black man; no black man is superior to a red man -
except in piety. The most honored unto God are the most pious."
~Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Elle, La Lumière
Noire/ She, the Black Light (17" x 22" oil on masonite panel)
Description: "She, the Black Light" was inspired
from this
poem composed in French. This painting which also inspired me
a song
has diverse meanings: spiritually, it evokes the attributes of the Cosmos' transcendent
obscurity which opens the heart to contemplation of the highest
form of luminescence, the Unmanifest Black Light. There also is
an historical octave to this painting: it addresses the African
origin of all mankind and thus the equality of all people. With
the enslavement and colonization of Africans, it was necessary to
create atrocious ideologies to "justify" those crimes against humanity.
Africans were degraded through the suggestion that "Blackness"
was a curse, a sign of impurity and inferiority which led to the
deliberate concealment of Africa's ancient glorious history. This
falsification of history along with its demeaning purpose
fragmented Africa and rendered it vulnerable
to overall exploitation, repression and plundering to this day.
"She, the Black Light" evokes the inexhausitible
richness that has caused the Motherland to be coveted, invaded,
preyed upon and pillaged on many dimensions for centuries. I painted
this piece while listening to the albums "African Angel" and "Bamisphere"
of brilliant vocalists
Njamy Sitson and Gino
Sitson.
"O Allah, let us see things as they are."
~ Prophet Muhammad (saw)
"And to Allâh belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn (yourselves or your faces)
there is the Face of Allâh (and He is High above, over His Throne). Surely! Allâh is
All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing."
2:115 ~Qur'an
Marundu's Thousand Veils / Les Mille Voiles de Marundu
(24" x 30" oil on canvas)
Description: this piece was inspired from this
poem.
The "Veil" theme externally relates to the modesty of women, a custom
that disturbs many materialists but which has been observed worldwide in many noble
traditions for eons. Also there is a deeper meaning to the
"Veil" theme here: unceasantly, the veils that conceal the mysteries
of existence lift themselves for the soul to dance through and to
revel in its pure state of bliss. The reverence of wise souls come
from the beholding of this divine reality... In my maternal culture,
"Marundu" is the name of a Princess which is in this context
an allegory for the soul as it innately is royal due to its properties,
attributes, origin and its capability to move beyond limits... this painting developed
gently in a dreamlike way.
Al Fattah: The Opener
(24" x 30" oil on canvas)
Description: I started working on this painting
during Ramadan. "Al Fattah: The Opener" is one of the 99 sacred
names of The Creator
who opens hearts to His Favor and Grace, He illuminates the
Universe and our being with mercy and love. I painted this sacred
Name as the "opening"
theme is always relevent to being, creativity, prayer, breath, love
and existence itself. To read the poem that goes with "Al Fattah:
The Opener" painting click
here.
"And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant, who make mischief in the
land, and mend not (their ways)."
26: 151-152 ~Qur'an
"As for that Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression
in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).
28: 83 ~Qur'an
Sahelian Luminaries
/ Les Luminaires du Sahel
(24" x 30" oil on canvas)
Description: "Sahelian Luminaries" was inspired
from this
poem, an hommage to all the West African Muslim saints, thinkers,
sages, humble intellectuals and scientists whose work reflected
the observance of Islamic values and whose struggle honored the Truth.
These beings strove to preserve their divine rights, freedom,
integrity, culture and native resources; for this reason they were
exiled, persecuted, ridiculed and sometimes eliminated by usurping
and colonialist forces in Africa. Simultaneously this painting is
a spiritual metaphor for the glorious Songhaï Empire that flourished
thanks to its foundation upon the Islamic universal principles
of righteousness, knowledge, equality, wisdom, justice and
thus love for The Divine Being.
In memory of: Askia Muhammad Touré, Fodié Saréna Touré,
Cidy Moktar Touré, Cheikh Amadou Bamba, Samory Touré, Dr Cheikh Anta Diop
and my father Dr Abdoulaye Touré.
""The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein,
declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise;
And yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is
Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving!" (~Qur'an 17: 44).
La Romance des Mondes/Romance of the Worlds
(24" x 30" oil on canvas)
Description: "Romance of the Worlds" was inspired
from this
poem of the same title composed in French. The painting celebrates
the romance of the Divine System that transcends the rigid human
ones imposed upon us on Earth. Our soul prioritizes and constantly
invites us to alignment with this Romance which goes on in the unseen
and visible worlds and which unceasantly calls us by its beauty.
The romance of the worlds is a sublime reality that compels us to
remember our Source, The Beloved and thus to contribute to the harmony
of His Creation. Working on this painting was a deeply peaceful
experience. I painted this piece while listening to the graceful
music of Yohosame.
“O Allah! You be the witness that I consider any violation of the rights of orphan
and woman as an enormity entailing serious consequences!”
~ Prophet Muhammad (saw)
The Persecuted Widow/La Veuve Persecuteé
(24
(24" x 30"
Description: this painting denounces the mistreatment of
grieving widows and children. Unfortunately this practice is rampant
in many African countries. Ill-intended relatives and in-laws seem
to rejoice when the head of the household passes away because for
them it represents an opportunity to not only prey upon the deceased
man's children and wife but also to scheme in order to embezzle
whatever property the deceased owned and to steal the money the
community donated for the deceased man's children. Often times these
oppressed children and widows end up being homeless and destitute
as a result of the persecution they endure at the hands of relatives.
Working on this painting and going through its intensity was a profound
experience for me because even though it depicts the harm ill-intended
family members inflict upon helpless widows and orphans, it more
so shows the triumph of Divine Mercy, Love and Justice. The Persecuted Widow poem
can be read here.
* Aida Toure retains copyrights to all sold artwork.
*Each original painting comes with a certificate of authenticity.
* The displayed images are digital reproductions of the original paintings,
colors may be slighty less bright than their original pieces. All paintings
are gloss-varnished for protection.
