Pottery by Aliya
The Artist
Born in Pakistan and now based in Bahrain, Aliya describes herself as a citizen of the world. Having lived across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, her experiences of movement continue to shape her sensitivity to place, material, and human narratives.
A self-taught ceramic artist, Aliya develops her practice through research, observation, and experimentation. Her studies in Jewellery Design at George Brown College, Toronto, inform her attention to form, structure, and detail.
Moving between function and sculpture, her work embraces intuitive, imperfect, and quietly expressive forms. For Aliya, clay is both medium and companion, holding stories and emotions through its tactile presence.
Building a piece is always a unique experience for me. I begin without a fixed image, allowing form, texture, scale, and function to emerge through the evolving dialogue between maker and clay.
My hand-built work embraces the marks of fingers and tools, along with the traces of fire and smoke, keeping the making process visible.
After the first firing, my inner painter emerges. Inspired by twentieth-century artists, especially Picasso, I treat glazing as painting in three dimensions, layering, experimenting, and embracing surprise and narrative.
Functionality is central to my practice, balancing everyday use with visual joy. From food-safe platters to versatile urns and sculptural candle holders, each piece carries stories drawn from observation, memory, and imagination.
Bahrain
January 2020 - Ceramic Bowl
Inspired by my years in Bahrain, this bowl celebrates the rich diversity of its people, cultures, and traditions. My drawings capture the everyday moments and memories that shaped my life there, from vibrant festivals and bustling coffee bars to family farms, moonlit nights, and the shimmering turquoise and azure sea.
At its centre, a black-and-white checkered floor symbolises joy and togetherness—a shared courtyard where generations gather to celebrate life, embracing even the youngest among them. The bowl reflects the warmth, beauty, and communal spirit of Bahrain.
Awards & Participation
January 2020: 46th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition Bowl titled 'Bahrain'
December 2019: Modern/ Contemporary - Exhibition at Art Chowk Gallery (Karachi, Pakistan)
October 2019: Hidden in Plain Sight - Exhibition at Satrang Art Gallery, Serena Hotel (Islamabad, Pakistan)
December 2018: Earth to Form - Solo Exhibition at Art Chowk Gallery (Karachi, Pakistan)
January 2018: 44th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition Euphoric Flutterings
January 2017: 43rd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, 3rd place Sculptural vases titled 'Tolerance', 'Behind the Scenes', and 'Nurture and Nature'.
November 2016: Al Riwaq Art Space, Bahrain Participated in their annual event 'The Nest'
September 2015: Malja Bahrain - A Red Bull Space Participated in their Open Call Exhibition
