YOUNG London-based artist Amina Malik recently launched her own gallery in the South Norwood district of London.
The Amina Malik Art Gallery opened with a group exhibition featuring the work of four artists, including her own, and has already received a positive response. Apart from contributing to her local community through arts, she is hoping to create a platform and meeting point for creative people.
Eastern Eye caught up with Amina Malik to talk about art, her newly opened gallery and inspirations.
What first connected you to art?
As a child, I always enjoyed drawing, but it wasn’t till I began drawing inspiration from the religion I followed (at the time) that I first consciously felt a connection.
What inspired you to open a gallery?
Opportunity! I was looking for a studio and this space became available. It was bigger than I needed, but it felt like a good opportunity to incorporate a gallery and events space for other creative people, while bringing a fun space to the local community.
Tell us about the gallery?
Our vision is to provide a diverse space for like-minded artists to showcase their talent, while bringing more opportunity for the local community to interact and come together in a creative environment.
Tell us about the artists being exhibited?
Exhibiting at our first exhibition Divine Stroke are Rahima Begum, Samir Malik, Umer Murtaza and myself. Each of the artists has their own unique style. The works currently exhibiting at the gallery are inspired by what the artists perceive as spiritual experience. To feel the art you need to see it in person so mosey on over. Divine Stroke runs till Christmas and the theme is art created through spiritual experience.
Tell us about your own artwork?
My artwork is an introspection. I don’t talk about it a lot and prefer people to see them in person to feel their own experiences.
Where do you draw your artistic inspirations from?
Inspiration is both outward and inward, but I’m unable at this point to pinpoint where precisely it comes from.
What are the plans for your gallery?
To nurture a creative environment for individuals looking for a space to give room for their creative spirit to grow. Specifically, to host events from all walks of artistic paths.
How do you balance running a gallery with being an artist?
As it’s a new gallery, I haven’t managed to find my balance yet, but I’ll get there.
Which artist is your hero?
I don’t have a hero-artist. There are many I admire, and I appreciate the variety.
Why is art important?
Art crosses all human-made boundaries. We may appreciate different forms and some forms the admirer may not even call art. But there’s a beauty in creative expression that reaches hearts. And it’s the reaching hearts that’s important.
Why do you love art?
In other people’s art, I enjoy details. I enjoy contemplating the thought process and looking for the strokes that formed a piece of art and the construction. In my own art, there’s a freedom in creating that my soul finds delight in and I love how that feels. But I don’t create art because I love art, I do it because I must. There’s an urge that I can’t quite articulate.
Amina Malik Gallery, 28 Station Road, London SE25 5AG. Visit Twitter, Instagram & Facebook: @aminamgallery
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.