ABSTRACT SPIRITUAL ARTIST
Global Conference of the Birds
Global Conference of the Birds is a contemporary visual retelling of Farid ud-Din Attar’s 12th-century Sufi poem, reimagined through the lens of spiritual awakening and ecological responsibility. Across eight monumental panels, Tanzanian artist Shafina Jaffer invites viewers into a journey of transformation—where birds, symbolic of the soul, traverse the seven valleys in search of the Simurgh, only to discover that what they seek lies within.
Painted on sustainably sourced bark cloth using turmeric, saffron, charcoal, and rainwater, the works are deeply rooted in nature. Jaffer incorporates eco-printing, Qur’anic calligraphy, and sacred geometry to explore the balance between Dīn(faith) and Dunyā (the world), and to honour the interconnectedness of all life.
This is not just an exhibition—it is a spiritual and environmental call to awareness. The birds are watching. Nature is speaking. Are we ready to listen?
Amanah- Breath of Creation
Barkcloth, hessian, banana leaves and leather , painted with natural pigments.
Elementals- Climate Change Conference
Barkcloth, hessian, banana leaves and leather , painted with natural pigments.
Institute of Ismaili Studies, Aga Khan Centre,
London, UK
2026
https://www.iis.ac.uk/events/elemental-conference-2026/exhibitions/
Global Conference of the Birds
Inspired by the poem 'Conference of the Birds' and painted with natural pigments across eight panels: 4 barkcloth, 4 canvas|hessian.
Theme: CARE
Global Encounters 2026
Dubai World Trade Center
2025
Jhabo (coat)
Whispers Under Wings
Natural pigments on barkcloth
Mall Galleries
London
2025
Whispers Under Wings
Global Conference of the Birds
4 Panels each 4m by 2m
Natural pigments on barkcloth
Mall Galleries,
London-2025
The Journey Begins
Global Conference of the Birds
4m x 2m
Natural pigments on barkcloth
Zamana Gallery Space,
London
2025
Exhibitions & Commissions
2026
Amanah: Breath of Creation
Elemental: Climate Change Conference
The Institute of Ismaili Studies, Aga Khan Centre, London, UK
2025
30 Birds & 30 Verses
Presented to Malala Yousafzai
The Voice Within
Presented to Ziauddin Yousafzai
Whispers Under Wings
Mall Galleries, London, UK
Global Conference of the Birds
Zamana Gallery, London, UK
Bāgh-e-Tasleem and the Light She Carries (Hoopoe)
Ismaili Centre, Paris, France
Global Conference of the Birds
Global Encounters 2025, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
The Illuminated One (Simurgh)
Ismaili Centre, Houston, USA
Global Conference of the Birds
Ismaili Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ā’ineh-ye Jān: The Mirror of the Soul
Ismaili Centre, Kampala, Uganda
Connected Cubes
Global Encounters 2025, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
Conference of the Birds (Play narration & exhibition)
Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Big Five (Mural)
Eid Fiesta, Dar es Salaam — later donated to Aga Khan Nursery School
2024
Sacred Women
US Ambassador’s Residence, Dar es Salaam
Voices of Inspiration: Women Sharing Their Journeys
Dar es Salaam
The Architecture of Nature
London Craft Week, UK
The Temptation
National Gallery, Dar es Salaam
Sacred Relationships (Permanent Collection)
Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam
Allah (Donation)
Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Charitable Eye Hospital
Ali (Donation)
Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam
New Beginnings
Navroz Arts Fiesta, Ismaili Jamatkhana, Dar es Salaam
It Began from Eden
Colosseum Hotel, Dar es Salaam
2023
Take Me Away
Coronation Concert, Windsor Castle, UK
StArt, Saatchi Gallery, London
Hyundai Award for Sustainability & Creativity (Shortlisted)
THUMB2, Copenhagen
Death of the Spectacle,
Richmond University, London
Inspirations from the otherworldly
The College of Psychic Studies, London
Genesis (Finalist),
by Caravan, New York, USA
MA Degree Show,
Royal College of Art, The Truman Brewery , London
Cultivate: Environmental Sustainability Exhibition
Royal College of Art
We Are Drowning in Plastic
Dar es Salaam
2022
We Can’t Stop Caring (Solo Exhibition)
Dar es Salaam
RAW
Soho Revue, London
Inspirations from Dreams & Visions
The College of Psychic Studies, London
An Ode to Women
Rangi Art Gallery, Dar es Salaam
Royal College of Art WIP Show
London Contemporary Art Fair
2021
Venice International Art Fair
EASTD East Africa Art Biennale Association
Does it resonate with you?
Jaffer Modern, Cape Town, South Africa
Art Lives Matter,
Zeitz Mocca, Cape Town, South Africa
Union in Diversity, MAKD/Kinetic Design
Paris, France
A Gathering
Jaffer Modern, Cape Town, South Africa
2020
SASA 2020
Cape Town, South Africa
Harmony Belgian Embassy 2020
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
2019
Site-specific commission for Century Cinemax, Sarit Centre
Kenya
Spring Exhibition 2019,Ruth Prowse
Cape Town, South Africa
SASA 2019
Cape Town, South Africa
Site-specific commission for Century Cinemax, Northgate Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa
Site-specific commission for Colosseum Hotel & Fitness Club
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Site-specific commission for Maaya restaurant
Cape Town, South Africa
Site-specific commission, ANEW Hotel (VIB Hotel)
Cape Town — lobby, interior spaces and amenities
Publications & Interviews
Selected Press
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Twiga — Air Tanzania Inflight Magazine
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The Citizen, Tanzania
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The Guardian, Tanzania
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Daily News, Tanzania
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Art Times, South Africa
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Design News, South Africa
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The Pluralist, Royal College of Art Publications
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Barakah.com,
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Simerg.com, Canada
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Penn Journal of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania