About Imani Bilál

Imani Bilál (b. 1983) is a contemporary abstract painter and poet based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in New York City, and raised in the DMV area. Her work is deeply inspired by the many states of the human condition and is rooted in her spiritual (Islamic) practices. As she explains, “I strive to convey the notion of Tawheed (oneness), the idea of primordial matter, chaos, and calm; of all things sharing a source and being connected to an infinite mound, inclusive of the human experience."

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Imani's language is versatile and her approach, unconventional, working with multiple mediums to articulate emotion and tell stories that promote connectivity through color and movement. Bilál, who has been experimenting with paint since childhood, has developed a unique process of her own, creating an array of effects that become part of an intricate yet fluid composition. 

 

Bilál's first solo show in New York City, Fingerprints of Ruh (2020), curated by Nemo Librizzi, was met with enthusiasm and led to gallery representation by Chase Contemporary Gallery in SoHo, NYC. She has since showcased her paintings nationally and internationally, and has recently taken a dive into the world of hospitality - bringing fine art to commercial spaces in order to create authentically unique and inspiring experiences.

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Dubbed "a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary art world" by Forbes Magazine, her work has captivated many.  Bilál says abstraction is rebellious by nature and fuels her artistic freedom. She is among a small community of Black Muslim American women who push the avant-garde.