Interview with: Anum Farooq
November 2025
Welcome Anum Farooq, first tell us about your background and why you chose to pursue this career.
Do you remember the first artwork that stirred something inside you?
I am an interwoven voice in art, poetry, sustainability, and education, working at the intersection of seemingly opposing forces, science and spirituality, nature and abstraction, tradition and innovation. As an Associate of the Royal College of Science and an autodidactic creative, I navigate between worlds to explore the unseen, the overlooked, and the deeply human.
Art is life, and I’ve been painting since I was a child. I recall painting on the grounds of Forty Hall for the Mayor’s Painting in the Park, a memory of observation, light, nature and creativity.
How do you reconcile the tension between raw, innate creativity and the discipline required to master your craft?
I view discipline as a companion to creativity rather than its opposite. While raw, intuitive ideas spark the work, consistent practice, technique, and reflection give them shape and depth. The tension between the two fuels growth, creativity pushes boundaries, and discipline ensures those explorations become tangible, meaningful art.
Does spirituality or a connection to something larger than yourself influence your creative process?
My creative process is deeply guided by a sense of connection; to nature, to the unseen, and to the Divine. Spirituality and the principles of spiritual ecology inform how I work, reminding me that we are not separate from the earth but intimately woven into its rhythms and sacred cycles. This awareness shapes my intuition and the energy of my art, allowing me to explore the subtle interconnections between the world, humanity, and the self, creating work that resonates with depth, presence, and a sense of belonging.
Do you believe an artist's passion is something destined or a conscious choice?
I believe it’s both. Passion often arises instinctively, a natural pull toward creation, but sustaining and nurturing it is a conscious choice. The initial spark may feel destined, yet dedication, curiosity, and the willingness to engage deeply with one’s craft transform that impulse into a lifelong journey of expression and growth.
Do you believe the ‘mad artist’ stereotype still holds weight, or is creativity more grounded than we think?
I think the ‘mad artist’ stereotype is largely a myth. Creativity is often deeply grounded in observation, discipline, and introspection. While intense emotion and unconventional thinking can fuel innovation, true artistic practice balances imagination with reflection, technique, and conscious engagement with the world. That said, a little dash of “madness”, the kind that makes you chase your ideas around the studio at 2 a.m., can spark the most unexpected breakthroughs.
What artistic “superpower” would you choose to have, and how would it shape your work?
If I could choose an artistic “superpower,” it would be the ability to translate emotions and atmospheres directly into visual form, capturing the intangible with complete clarity. Imagine being able to paint the feeling, the texture of a thought, or the quiet hum of a landscape exactly as it’s experienced inwardly. It would deepen the emotional resonance of my work, allowing viewers to step directly into the inner worlds that inspire each piece.
We are at the end of this short interview, would you like to add something about your artistic research?
How did you find the collaboration with our gallery?
As I reflect on my artistic research, it’s really about exploring the invisible threads that connect nature, humanity, and spirit, what I often describe through the lens of spiritual ecology. My practice is a continuous dialogue between observation, intuition, and experimentation, seeking to reveal the subtle interconnections that often go unnoticed.
Collaborating with Florence Contemporary Gallery has been an inspiring experience. Their vision and support create a space where dialogue, experimentation, and reflection are not only encouraged but celebrated, making the partnership both meaningful and creatively energizing.