International Symposium 'Islamic art in Bosnia and Herzegovina' Islamic Arts Magazine

As a part of the recently held International Symposium 'Islamic art in Bosnia and Herzegovina', an exhibition was held that included artefacts from various public and private collections of Islamic art in BiH.

Opened by Prof. Dr Ismet Busatlic and Kenan Surkovic, the exhibition took place in Hanikah, a historic building that used to be a school for dervishes, and whose ambience was perfectly suited for this amazing art event. The exhibition was divided into three parts, and some artworks have been presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition was curated by Dr Haris Dervisevic and Kenan Surkovic, and was on view from Oct 26 - Nov 2, 2017.

From the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

L-R: Kenan Surkovic, Founder and Editor in Chief of Islamic Arts Magazine, Prof. Dr Ismet Busatlic, Dr Haris Dervisevic / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The central part of the exhibition presented prayer rugs and carpets. Most of the exhibited collection is owned by the Islamic Community, while some rugs and carpets are from a private collection. The most prominent exhibits were Anatolian prayer rugs dating from the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Special attention was given to the carpet, donated by former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque in Sarajevo. This carpet was made in ca. 1950. Also, huge interest was drawn to the kilim that was made at the end of the 19th century by Sarajevska Cilimara (the company and the factory for handmade carpets and kilims, founded in 1888).

Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The carpet, donated by the former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque in Sarajevo / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Kilim by Sarajevska cilimara, end of 19th century, private collection / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Anatolian prayer rugs from the 19th century / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Anatolian prayer rugs / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

L: Anatolian prayer rug / R: Sarkoy kilim, 19th century / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The right wing of the Haniqah presented works in metal, or more precisely copper trays, and metal circular tables. Traditionally used in old Bosnian houses copper trays were richly decorated. The exhibited trays are part of a private collection in Sarajevo and were exhibited for the first time. The works, created by Sarajevan's masters, are between 150 and 200 years old.

The left wing of the exhibition space showed the calligraphy works by contemporary Bosnian calligraphers such as Cazim Hadzimejlic, Munib Obradovic, Izudin Durakovic, Rasid Edib Huseinagic, Hazim Numanagic, as well as the works by the late Bosnian master calligrapher Esref Kovacevic. Among the many esteemed guests was also Shaika Nasser al-Nassr, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs of the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar. She had an opportunity to meet with a master calligrapher Munib Obradovic, who is also known for his calligraphy that adorns the Makkah Royal Clock Tower.

Master calligrapher Munib Obradovic with Shaika Nasser al-Nassr, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs of the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, next to his work/ Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine