EXHIBITION AT IRVING ARTS CENTER, TEXAS (Sep 17 – Nov 13, 2016) 5th Annual Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Islamic Art

Jon Revett, Be Told and Old / Courtesy of Irving Arts Center and the Artist

"This prestigious international exhibition of artwork is inspired by Islamic culture, art, literature and architecture and features works in a variety of styles and media from artists around the world," states Shafaq Ahmad, Art Director for the Islamic Art Revival Series. "Showcasing the work of artists from diverse backgrounds, the exhibit offers a window through contemporary art to one fifth of the world’s population, spread out over five continents."

Representative of that diversity, among the 68 pieces from the exhibit, 23 states are represented with works from 9 countries including France, Bahrain, Iran, Italy, Korea and India.

"The 5th Annual Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Islamic Art offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages, faiths and cultures to experience the rich and varied visual and performing arts of the Islamic world," says Todd Hawkins, Irving Arts Center Executive Director. "We look forward to showcasing the works of many talented artists, and also to working with the Islamic Art Series to facilitate a number of unique lectures, workshops and other special events."

Shamina Senaratne, Interpreting the Shadows and Light / Courtesy of Irving Arts Center and the Artist

Juliana Coles, Radiance / Courtesy of Irving Arts Center and the Artist

Mariam Rana, We had a Palace We had it All / Courtesy of Irving Arts Center and the Artist

Free and open to the public special events include:

• Opening Night Reception featuring Louise Mackie (Sept. 17): Curator of Islamic Textiles and Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Louise Mackie is responsible for the museum’s internationally renowned worldwide textile collection as well as its collection of art from Islamic lands.

• Guest Lecture & Musical Performance from Bahnam Pahlani (Oct. 1): The French artist, calligrapher and musician will present a lecture on ground breaking calligraphy and music research. After a brief intermission, he will offer a musical performance.

• Workshop - Eastern Weaving (Oct. 8): Artist and Islamic Art Revival Series Program Director, Samia Khan leads an interactive workshop with instruction on the fine art of Eastern Weaving.

• Workshop - Interfaith Symbolism in Sacred Geometry (Oct. 8): Led by Matt Anzak, this interactive workshop explores recurring patterns found in nature, and those which have emerged from the interplay of human creativity and mathematical imagination.

• Family Funday (Oct. 9): This edition of Irving Arts Center’s Family Funday will feature a guided craft project, suitable for all ages, inspired by the 5th Annual Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Islamic Art.

• Guided Gallery Tour (Oct. 15): Todd Hawkins, Irving Arts Center’s Executive Director leads guided tours of the exhibition.

• Guest Lecture Jason Moriyama (Oct. 22): Lead design partner at Moriyama & Teshima Architects. His work includes master planning the Canadian consortium for the Holy Cities of Makkah, Madinah and Mashaer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and currently as the 1340 ha. Education City Masterplan Integrator for the Qatar Foundation; and Kuwait University’s New Shadadiyah Campus.

• Guided Gallery Tour (Nov. 5): Marcie Inman, Director of Exhibitions & Cultural Programs at Irving Arts Center leads guided tours of the exhibition.

Francesca Montinaro, Ritratto Continuo / Courtesy of Irving Arts Center and the Artist

For more information including special event times and locations, please visit IslamicArtRevival.com, TMWF.org and IrvingArtsCenter.com.