Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art

A new exhibition, Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art, has launched in London. The striking exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha, Qatar and students and teachers from the Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture, in Kabul. The exhibition will be on display at Leighton House Museum until 23 February 2014 as part of both Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture and the Nour Festival of Arts.

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Curated by MIAâ€™s Dr. Leslee Michelsen, a specialist in the arts of medieval Iran and Central Asia, Ferozkohâ€™s unifying theme is the preservation and continuity of the traditional arts of the Islamic world â€“ in both themes and materials â€“ in the present day, and the role of education in both transmission and translation.

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

In 2012, Afghan master craftsmen were given access to some of the greatest examples of Islamic art in the world at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar. The artefacts they were shown are the products of four great dynasties with connections to Afghanistan: the Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals and Safavids. In response, they created a series of extraordinary works of their own. The result is Ferozkoh â€“ 18 pairs of beautiful objects, half historic and half contemporary, that reveal how the art of the past can inspire the future.

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Graham Sheffield, Director of Arts for the British Council and Chair of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture Steering Committee said "The works which the artisans from Afghanistan have produced in response to pieces from the MIA collection are inspiring. This project is such a good example of how cultural exchange can generate positive change. This is why we felt it was such a fitting exhibition for Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture which aims to cultivate mutual recognition, understanding and appreciation of Qatari and British cultures through events that entertain and educate."

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Aisha Al Khater, Director of MIA, said "Ferozkoh fits perfectly with MIAâ€™s mandate to shed light on our past to inspire our future. In this exhibition, MIA objects were more than just static beauties behind glass - they inspired Turquoise Mountain students and teachers to create exquisite pieces of art that represent the continuation of Islamic artistic tradition and showcase artisans living and working in the 21st century. This exhibition demonstrates the power of museums as dynamic institutions that are alive and vibrant agents of real change."

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Shoshana Stewart, CEO of Turquoise Mountain said "The exhibition has transformed the Afghan artisans who created these pieces; it gave them direct contact with one of the greatest collections of Islamic Art in the world and a challenge to create to a quality not seen in Afghanistan in their lifetimes. Kabulâ€™s historic old city was once a crossroads of civilisations, and Afghanistanâ€™s artisans were famous throughout the region. But decades of conflict had almost destroyed the crafts industry. These artisans represent hundreds who work with Turquoise Mountain at the Institute for Afghan Arts & Architecture, training the next generation of artisans and rebuilding the country's craft industry. We are incredibly grateful to the Museum of Islamic Art and Leighton House for the opportunity they have given to help rebuild this industry and bring in commissions for the artisans."

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

Cllr. Timothy Coleridge, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, Transport and Arts, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said "We are privileged to be hosting 'Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art' as part of the Nour Festival. It is particularly fitting that the exhibition should take place at Leighton House, an international symbol of cross-cultural dialogue and a historic meeting point for East and West. The Royal Borough has close connections to the Middle East, and Arabic is the second language in the Borough. We created Nour, which means light or illumination in many Middle Eastern languages, to celebrate and share the very best contemporary arts from across the MENA region and challenge preconceptions of culture from the area. Since its inception in 2010, Nour has grown to become one of the foremost festivals of its kind in the UK. The Ferozkoh exhibition provides a unique window onto a different side of Afghanistan, its past, present and future. Join me in celebrating Ferozkoh, in celebrating Nour."

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

A beautifully illustrated catalogue, published in both English and Arabic versions, was produced for the original exhibition at MIA and will be available at Leighton House Museum. Featuring thematic essays from the curator and other experts in the field as well as in-depth studies of all the objects on view, this work is both a guide to the exhibition and an essential work for anyone interested in the arts and crafts of Afghanistan, both ancient and modern.

Celebrating the long-standing relationship between the two countries, Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture aims to forge new and support existing partnerships in the arts, education, sport and science, while promoting an awareness and appreciation of each countryâ€™s culture, achievements and heritage. The Year is a programme of cultural exchanges and events in Qatar and the UK coordinated by the British Council and Qatar Museums Authority.

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

BBC Symphony Orchestra, The British Library, University College London, National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Arts, Serpentine Gallery, Shakespeareâ€™s Globe, Shubbak Festival of contemporary Arab arts in London, Tate, V&A, ICA, Coventry University, the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha Film Institute, Qatar Foundation, WISE and Katara Cultural Village are among the leading British and Qatari cultural and educational organisations participating in the programme.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelseaâ€™s annual Nour Festival, celebrates and showcases contemporary art and culture from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Nour Festival takes place at venues across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea from 1 October â€“ 30 November 2013. Highlights include Internationally-renowned artist Natacha Atlas in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London Algerian Ballet performing A Journey to Algeria at the Tabernacle, through to an installation of 5,000 paper windmills in the Victoria & Albert Museum by the Beirut artist Najla El Zein.

Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art at Leighton House Museum, installation view / Â© Courtesy Museum of Islamic Art

The exhibition will be accompanied by a full programme of events and educational activities.

Click HERE to see the full gallery of the artisans of Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture, in Kabul, creating the artworks for the exhibition â€˜Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Artâ€™.

For further information about Qatar UK 2013