SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL 2017 (DEC 13, 2017 - JAN 23, 2018) The Opening of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organised the 20th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival. The festival opened on 13th December 2017 and will run until 23rd January 2018.

The new edition's theme, 'Impact / Athar', harnesses contemporary art to shorten the distance between the East and the West. The impact of the festival is, in a way, a form of knowledge through which we recognise the moment of the experience. This knowledge is a link between different times and cultures; therefore, the impact has a value, and the significance is greater when the impact entwines with creativity.

Highlights from the Opening at the Sharjah Art Museum

Ammar Al Attar, Salah / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Ahmed Jaride explains his work 'Post Humanity -The Impact' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

David Moreno, Connecting Doors, Installation view/ Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Elisa Strozyk from Germany explains his work ' Wooden Textile' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama from Japan explains his work '1=0 Reflections' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hitoshi Kuriyama, 1=0 Reflections, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Leonardo Ulian from Italy explains his work 'Technological Mandalas 120-Joint Space' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Matt McConnell from USA explains his work 'Vessel-V' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Najat Maki, UAE, Visual Ausio Flaps, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Natalie Fisher from Australia explains his work 'Ghorzah (Stich)' to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Patrick D Wilson from USA explains his work to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Peter Trevelyan from New Zealand explains his work to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Pia Jensen from Denmark explains his work to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Romina Khanom from UK explains his work to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Toy Studio from UK in presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Toy Studio, In Bloom, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Ben Johnson explains his work to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Timo Nasseri, All Letters All the Stars, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival hosts over 270 activities. Most exhibitions are currently on view at the Sharjah Art Museum, while parallel exhibitions are on view at other locations at the Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Awqaf Department, Al Qasba, Maraya Art Centre, and the Calligraphy Square.