The London Muslim Mosque is opening to the public this month to take in an art show created by community members who found solace in paints this past year.
The show also features a special piece created by Yumnah Afzaal, one of the members of the family killed in an attack June 6, 2021 in the southwestern Ontario city. It’s a section of drywall from the family’s garage where the 15-year-old taught herself to use spray paints for a mural she made for the Islamic school.
“She decided to teach herself, and her supportive parents let her spray paint the garage until her heart’s content. The piece is very provocative and powerful,” said co-curator Nusaiba Al-Azem.
In the middle is a black circle that her brother made when she let him try his hand with the paints.
It’s just one of dozens of works of art donated from across London, including from local artists and one commissioned by White Oaks Mall. There are also pieces from Muslim community members who participated in an art contest.
“It was people drawing and expressing their thoughts on loss, being Muslim and specifically this family,” Al-Azem said.
The youngest contributors may have been Mousa Loubani and Jenna Sabra, featured for their work in the ages 5 to 7 category, who created a piece called Shattered.
They used broken stones in Yumnah’s favourite colours to depict their feeling for the loss of the family.
“To us, this was the best way to show the larger community what we have lost. It encapsulates family, the community, the spirit of giving back, and it really comes together in this exhibit,” Al-Azem said.
The mosque’s gallery is open weeknights until June 30.
