Ferha Farooqui

Ferha Farooqui's paintings and prints attempt to chronicle the changing urban landscape of East London. Some works are compositions based on observations of everyday urban experiences. Other works comprise a series of 'timescapes' - portraits of the disappearing landmarks and shifting communities of Newham, in East London, the place where she has lived since 1970. The blue buildings depicted are shadows of lost buildings (libraries, churches and other civic spaces) and likewise the blue figures are characters who once walked the same streets. They mingle with contemporary populations.

Ferha's paintings are characterised by attention to detail, vivid colour and an intentional technique drawn from using multiple layers of transparent glaze, which enables luminous colour to be provided. She also uses large and small-scale lino cut prints to explore different aspects of urban drama. Her work has been shown at the 2021 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and commissioned by the City of London Corporation.