Islamic Art Now
A powerful exhibition titled Islamic Art Now presents a modern selection of Islamic art.
The exhibition showcases a contemporary collection of Islamic art, by artists with Middle Eastern roots who has found inspiration in their cultural traditions. The artists use techniques and incorporate visuals and ideas from earlier periods showing the expansion of Islamic Art into contemporary times.
Several of the artworks leave the viewer uncertain of how to interpret the piece, as they seem dualistic in their message. An image by photographer Lalla Essaydi portrays am odalisque who has every inch of her covered with graceful Arabic calligraphy. The women seems to look straight at the viewer, leaving them wondering whether the writing is a prison keeping her captivated or a shield protecting her.
Another piece illustrates a woman’s face circled by a black veil. At her right ear, what appears to be a silvery earring turns out to be the barrel of a gun pointing straight out at the viewer. Again the piece evokes a range of questions. Is the woman threatening the viewer, protecting herself or simply questioning their view of her.
With their ambiguous meanings the art pieces seem encourage viewers to move beyond any preconceptions about the subjects in the images and appreciate them with a clear and curious mind.
Islamic Art Now is taking place at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in the US.
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