Transcendental Inspirations
Islamic Arts Society of Houston
Marilyn Hillery Community Gallery
July 26 - September 3, 2016
Artist Reception:
Saturday, August 13, 2016: 11am-3pm
Islamic Arts Society of Houston
Marilyn Hillery Community Gallery
July 26 - September 3, 2016
Artist Reception:
Saturday, August 13, 2016: 11am-3pm
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to present Transcendental Inspirations, a group exhibition featuring the work of members of the Islamic Arts Society of Houston - an organization whose establishment stems from a previous collaboration with the museum.
In the fall of 2013, the museum partnered with the Barbara Bush Branch Library to present an exhibition of Islamic calligraphy art entitled Bridging Cultures. The artists included in that exhibition went on to organize and host an Islamic Arts Festival, featuring over thirty artists and drawing thousands of attendees. The artists subsequently formed the Islamic Arts Society of Houston (IASH) in order to continue promoting the rich heritage of arts in Islam. Believing that art is a common language with the power to bind diverse communities, IASH hopes to promote mutual understanding and bring the broader Houston community together in the celebration of Islamic culture.
Transcendental Inspirations captures the individuality and propelling spirit of fourteen member artists who root their work in the principles of Islamic art. Traditionally, the key features of Islamic art are the use of geometric patterns, arabesque designs, and calligraphy depicting words or phrases praising God. The depiction of human forms is not used as it is feared by many Muslims that this is idolatry, and thereby a sin. Islamic art forms include calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, woodwork, and textiles. In this exhibition the artists used traditional methods yet added their own interpretations, often applying technical updates to old crafts.
This collection of work will be on view in the Marilyn Hillery Community Gallery and Judith Ann Smith Foyer of the museum from July 26 - September 3, 2016.
In the fall of 2013, the museum partnered with the Barbara Bush Branch Library to present an exhibition of Islamic calligraphy art entitled Bridging Cultures. The artists included in that exhibition went on to organize and host an Islamic Arts Festival, featuring over thirty artists and drawing thousands of attendees. The artists subsequently formed the Islamic Arts Society of Houston (IASH) in order to continue promoting the rich heritage of arts in Islam. Believing that art is a common language with the power to bind diverse communities, IASH hopes to promote mutual understanding and bring the broader Houston community together in the celebration of Islamic culture.
Transcendental Inspirations captures the individuality and propelling spirit of fourteen member artists who root their work in the principles of Islamic art. Traditionally, the key features of Islamic art are the use of geometric patterns, arabesque designs, and calligraphy depicting words or phrases praising God. The depiction of human forms is not used as it is feared by many Muslims that this is idolatry, and thereby a sin. Islamic art forms include calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, woodwork, and textiles. In this exhibition the artists used traditional methods yet added their own interpretations, often applying technical updates to old crafts.
This collection of work will be on view in the Marilyn Hillery Community Gallery and Judith Ann Smith Foyer of the museum from July 26 - September 3, 2016.
Featured Artists
Adry Abdelrahim
Fariba Abedin
Khawaja Azimuddin
Hina Chaudry
Ather Jamil
Fatemah Josh
Melek Koc
Nizar Macnojia
Warris Mahmud
Sana N. Mirza
Samia Nazir
Shaheen Rahman
Nihal Sonmez
Zineb Trifi-Sjahsam
Adry Abdelrahim
Fariba Abedin
Khawaja Azimuddin
Hina Chaudry
Ather Jamil
Fatemah Josh
Melek Koc
Nizar Macnojia
Warris Mahmud
Sana N. Mirza
Samia Nazir
Shaheen Rahman
Nihal Sonmez
Zineb Trifi-Sjahsam