News: Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces Hajj Terminal in Jeddah as the location for first-ever Islamic Arts Biennale

Curatorial Team from left to right: Sumayya Vally, Dr. Julian Raby, Dr. Saad Alrashid, Dr. Omniya Abdel Barr, Diriyah Biennale Foundation Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, 6 June 2022: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation (DBF) is proud to announce that the inaugural edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale will take place at [...]

Interview: The Archaeology of Islamic Sicily – with Angelo Castrorao Barba and the Superintendence of Palermo

Of all the important centres of the historic Islamic World, there is one region that many do not realise was ever Islamic at all: Sicily. We caught up with a recent grantee of The Barakat Trust, Angelo Castrorao Barba. Angelo has undertaken some particularly fascinating research with our grant, [...]

Jeddah: Crossroads of the World – A new podcast with Ahmad Angawi

Join celebrated artist Ahmad Angawi as he explores how Jeddah has been influenced by many cultures, from Morocco to Indonesia, and how Jeddah has influenced them back. Learn about the cultural exchanges that pilgrimages brought, explore the traditional woodworking that Ahmad is helping to keep alive, and discover how [...]

Silk Road Bazaar

Transport yourself along the Silk Road at the Aga Khan Foundation's artisanal market, rich with traditional craftsmanship, unique products, dance performances and more! The Aga Khan Foundation are delighted to announce the return of the Silk Road Bazaar — an artisan market laden with goods from countries along the historic [...]

Heritage Studies in Arab Fashion

Our Founder, Dr Reem El Mutwalli and the Team are delighted to invite all to our next webinar: 'Dialogues on the Art of Arab Fashion: Heritage Studies in Arab Fashion on 31st May 2022.' We will be welcoming three renowned panellists from the London College of Fashion; The Creative School [...]

Geometric and biomorphic pattern making with Samira Mian and Dr Esra Alhamal

Leighton House and Sambourne House free online courses are back, with an artistic exploration of the geometric and biomorphic patterns found in Islamic design, led by artists Samira Mian and Dr Esra Alhamal. In the first two workshops, Samira will guide you through the compass and straight edge construction of [...]

New Podcast: Secret Geometry with Wael Sabry

Join Wael Sabry on his quest to save the ancient craft of Kundekari - complex wooden geometry. Sabry is  tracking down the few remaining master carpenters in Turkey and Egypt, trying to learn their carefully-guarded secrets, hidden even from father to son.  Discover how he is using technology to [...]

Decorative Moroccan Painting: The Art of ‘Zouaq’

with Natasha Mann  (http://www.natasha-mann.com) This two-day course, led by Natasha Mann, will introduce students to the Art of Zouaq. Zouaq is a painting technique original to Morocco which creates arresting and powerful designs. Found painted onto ceilings, doors, furniture and wooden objects it is an integral part of the decoration of [...]

Geometry of the Islamic World

Come and join us on this practical journey of discovery as we travel half way around the globe to source the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern; Persia, Turkey, Syria, India, and Moorish Morocco and Al-Andalus will feature in our travels. The genius of the craftsmen geometers from the Islamic [...]

Saturday Art Studio: Passion for Tiles

An online workshop organised by Leighton House and led by artist Ayesha Gamiet. Inspired by the lush floral patterns of Iznik and Damascus ceramics, join us to recreate a tile design, exploring traditional painting and shading techniques from the rich world of Islamic art. Workshop Outline: In the morning attendees will practice [...]

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