Contents
- 1 Islamic Art UAE
- 2 Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Islamic Art UAE and GCC Finest Artists
- 3 Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds: Running Until Sunday at Christie’s Dubai
- 4 Between the Tides: Until December 1 at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi
- 5 Arts of the Islamic World and India: Until October 4 at Sotheby’s Dubai
- 6 Textiles Between Loss and Repair: Until November 2 at Green Art Gallery, Dubai
- 7 Divine Chaos: Until November 2, Aicon Contemporary, New York
- 8 Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival
- 9 Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
- 10 Louvre Abu Dhabi and Cartier Designs
- 11 MIRAJ Islamic Art Center
Islamic Art UAE is a vibrant expression of cultural identity and heritage, showcasing the beauty and intricacy of artistic traditions from the Islamic world. The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival stands as a pinnacle event, bringing together artists, collectors, and enthusiasts to celebrate this rich legacy. With stunning exhibits and cultural activities, the festival invites everyone to explore the profound impact of Islamic Art UAE on contemporary society.
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Islamic Art UAE
The Islamic Art UAE represents the rich tapestry of creativity, spirituality, and cultural heritage embedded in the region’s identity. From the stunning geometric patterns seen in intricate tile work to the flowing elegance of Arabic calligraphy, each piece of art tells a story deeply rooted in Islamic traditions.
The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival serves as a vibrant platform that brings together artists and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate this diverse art form. With curated exhibitions showcasing both traditional and contemporary works, visitors can experience a chronological journey through the evolution of Islamic art.
The festival not only highlights the artistic prowess of local talent but also fosters cross-cultural dialogue, inviting participation from artists worldwide. This celebration of Islamic art not only enriches the artistic landscape of the UAE but also deepens the appreciation for the cultural significance that Islamic art holds in a global context.
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Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Islamic Art UAE and GCC Finest Artists
Immerse yourself in two distinct aspects of the region’s art scene. Discover some of the most remarkable works from the Middle East and India, featuring historic manuscripts, exquisite jewelry, and intricate rugs, alongside the innovative contemporary artists emerging from the GCC. Highlights include a bronze buck sculpture from the eighth century displayed at Sotheby’s Dubai and an exhibition showcasing the dynamic relationship we have with fabrics at the Green Art Gallery in Alserkal Avenue.
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Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds: Running Until Sunday at Christie’s Dubai
Before the auction in London on October 24, selected pieces from Christie’s Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds collection will be exhibited at the DIFC branch of the auction house. This curated display features carpets, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles, and metalwork, representing the rich cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
Noteworthy items include a rare silk Safavid Polonaise carpet from the early 17th century and a Florentine portrait of Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, painted in 1600. Christie’s will also feature selections from its Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale, showcasing works from the Dalloul Collection.
The exhibition features prominent regional artists, such as Palestinian Samia Halaby, Iraqi Shakir Hassan Al Said, Egyptian Mahmoud Said, and Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Saleem. Open until October 6, the viewing hours are 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday, and 12 pm to 5 pm on weekends, located at Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai.
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Between the Tides: Until December 1 at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi
Happening every five years, “Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial” offers a glimpse into the current regional art landscape, showcasing a range of mediums, including architecture, design, painting, video, installation, and sculpture. This exhibition features 21 artists whose works reflect the Gulf’s diverse artistic expressions. Running until December 1, the gallery is open from noon to 8 pm, Tuesday to Sunday on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Arts of the Islamic World and India: Until October 4 at Sotheby’s Dubai
Sotheby’s Dubai is currently presenting significant works as part of its Arts of the Islamic World and India collection at its DIFC location. This exhibition, which will be auctioned in London on October 23, includes jewelry, manuscripts, and an eighth-century bronze buck sculpture displayed for the first time, with an estimated sale price reaching up to £3 million ($4 million).
The showcase also features highlights from Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Middle East auction, including pieces by noted Lebanese artists Willy Aractingi, Aref El Rayess, and Ayman Baalbaki. Open until Friday, the viewing hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Friday at Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai.
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Textiles Between Loss and Repair: Until November 2 at Green Art Gallery, Dubai
Green Art Gallery is currently hosting the final exhibition in a series exploring contemporary perspectives on fiber. “Bound: Textiles Between Loss and Repair” is a group show featuring five artists: Dana Awartani, Jumana Manna, Hana Miletic, Dala Nasser, and Khalil Rabah.
This exhibition delves into the themes of care and nurturing associated with textiles. Covering our bodies from birth to death, it presents various methodologies and styles that explore how fabrics are used to provide comfort during times of pain and their significance in rituals, mourning, and healing. The gallery is open until November 2, from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, located in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.
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Divine Chaos: Until November 2, Aicon Contemporary, New York
In international highlights, Emirati artist Noor Al Suwaidi presents a solo exhibition at Aicon Contemporary Gallery in New York. This show is an abstract exploration of flat spaces where color balances movement and stillness. Each large-scale piece intricately plays with abstraction and spatial dynamics through the use of color and gesture.
Whether portraying abstract anatomical shapes or inspired by landscapes, the incorporation of acrylic and oil pastel on canvas achieves a sense of flatness with organic yet structured gestures. The exhibition runs until November 2, with visiting hours from 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday to Saturday in New York, USA.
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Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival
The Islamic Arts Festival is a premier international event dedicated to Islamic art, organized by the Cultural Affairs Department of the Sharjah government. This festival highlights the vibrancy and expressive richness of Islamic arts as a universal artistic language. Established in 1998, the Islamic Arts Festival celebrates the cultural and aesthetic achievements of Islamic art, showcasing a wide array of artistic styles each year.
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Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Home to thousands of rare and significant Islamic artifacts, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization allows visitors to appreciate the enduring achievements of Islamic civilization and its universal relevance. The museum features seven galleries spread across two levels. The ground floor focuses on the pillars of the Islamic faith and the contributions of Arab scientists and astronomers, while the upper floors provide a chronological exploration of Islamic arts and crafts, including textiles and jewelry.
Situated in a building as remarkable as its collection, the museum is located along the Corniche, just north of the Heart of Sharjah district. Among the treasures on display are astrolabes, manuscripts, ceramics, and coins, but be sure to pay special attention to the gold-embroidered curtain that once adorned the door of the Holy Ka’ba, as well as the stunning mosaic in the central dome that illustrates the zodiac constellations.
Louvre Abu Dhabi and Cartier Designs
Explore the impact of Islamic art on Cartier’s creations at the upcoming exhibition, Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, hosted by the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This exhibition will feature over 400 works, including jewelry and precious items, masterpieces of Islamic art, drawings, textiles, and photographs, highlighting the influences of Islamic Art UAE on Cartier’s designs from the early 20th century to the present. Attendees will enjoy immersive digital projections that bring to life the intricate shapes and patterns found in Cartier pieces inspired by Islamic art.
The New York-based design studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro crafted the exhibition’s scenography and immersive digital space. It is co-curated by Évelyne Possémé, the former Chief Curator of Ancient and Modern Jewelry at the musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris, and Judith Henon-Raynaud, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Department of Islamic Art at the musée du Louvre.
This exhibition is a collaborative effort involving the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the musée des Arts décoratifs, the musée du Louvre, and France Muséums, with support from Cartier. It builds on a project initially developed and co-organized by the Dallas Museum of Art and the musée des Arts décoratifs, titled Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity.
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MIRAJ Islamic Art Center
In the arid stretches of Arabia, the message of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) aimed to instill fresh hope within the hearts of people. His profound yet straightforward message of divine love and devotion transformed every aspect of life and thought, guiding labor as a form of worship and art as a tribute to divine beauty.
The artists of this era blended rich influences from Persian, Byzantine, and Sassanian techniques, styles, and forms to initiate a virtual renaissance in the realms of art, architecture, music, and literature. Islamic art is fundamentally contemplative, intended to express and connect with the divine presence. Artisans use their crafts as a means to convey this glory and enhance awareness in the world.
As Islamic art and philosophy spread across the globe, various regional powers emerged, each vying for prominence by championing their distinct artistic expressions. This collective ingenuity became a symbol of the cultural refinement of their patrons and the identity of their states. Skills from Syria, Egypt, and as far as Persia were united under the umbrella of Islamic culture.
Luxurious textiles and regal silk garments from Persia, jewel-adorned ceremonial items from Turkey, intricately designed textiles and silk carpets from Kashmir, finely crafted weapons from Damascus, gold-embellished ceramics from China, and illuminated miniatures from Iran showcasing religious and literary themes epitomized a sublime expression of oriental splendor, all under the patronage of sultans and emperors.
For much of the thirteen centuries, Islamic rulers embraced their dual roles as monarchs and patrons of the arts and crafts, significantly shaping societal lifestyles. Perhaps this duality is what elevates Islamic culture from mere fascination to an iconographic mystery.
What is the significance of Islamic Art UAE?
Islamic Art UAE reflects the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the Islamic world, showcasing diverse forms of art, architecture, and calligraphy throughout the region, particularly in cities like Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
What can I expect to see at the Islamic Museum Sharjah?
The Islamic Museum Sharjah houses an extensive collection of artifacts, manuscripts, and artworks that represent the history and evolution of Islamic art and culture, emphasizing both historical and contemporary pieces.
Where is the Miraj Islamic Art Centre in Abu Dhabi located, and what does it offer?
The Miraj Islamic Art Centre in Abu Dhabi is dedicated to promoting Islamic heritage through art. It features exhibits of traditional and modern Islamic artwork, art workshops, and educational programs focused on Islamic artistic traditions.
What types of exhibitions are held at the Sharjah Islamic Art Museum?
The Sharjah Islamic Art Museum regularly hosts a variety of exhibitions showcasing Islamic art, including calligraphy, textiles, ceramics, and artifacts, providing visitors with insight into the rich history and contemporary interpretations of Islamic art.
Islamic Art UAE serves as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the region, showcasing the Art of Islam through events like the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival. This festival offers a unique chronological overview of Islamic arts and highlights selections from Dubai’s diverse Islamic art scene. Whether it’s exquisite Calligraphy Acrylic Islamic Wall Art or innovative modern Islamic home decor, the festival creates an inspiring space for artists and enthusiasts alike. The celebration of Islamic art in Abu Dhabi and beyond continues to foster a deeper appreciation for this captivating world of art and architecture.
