CONTEMPORARY BRITISH MUSLIM & JEWISH ART EXHIBITION (June 3- July 3, 2016) Shared Spaces - British Muslim and Jewish Art Exhibition

Salaam Shalom’s Shared Spaces Festival brings together Muslim and Jewish art forms, and promotes dialogue and discussion between people of differing backgrounds. It is inspired by the diverse communities that make up the fabric of Bristol.

The Festival is celebrating the positive contribution Muslim and Jewish artists are making to British culture. And also highlighting commonalities in themes and styles between the different artists. In 2006, Salaam Shalom was founded on the premise that, by enabling greater familiarity and understanding between people of different faiths and cultures, fears and myths are dispelled, resulting in a more tolerant and socially cohesive society.

Twelve renowned artists that exhibit their art works are: Ruh Al Alam, Lateefa Spiker, Maryam Golubeva, Vaseem Mohammed, Nasreen Sheikh Jamal Al Lail, Amber Khokhar, Peter Brill, Josh Baum, Tom Berry, Verdi Yahooda, Lorna Brunstein and Louise Block.

Project Manager & Curator Rebecca Bellamy said "This festival has created so many spaces for dialogue, and visitors have been really taken by many of the works in the art exhibition, we've been very fortunate to have some incredibly talented artists participating in the project." Rebecca added "I am particularly excited about the collaborative piece between the Artist Tom Berry and the poet, Shagufta Iqbal. Titled 'Diaspora', a concept that both artists could relate to, they collaborated over a period of months to create an artwork that holds so much meaning, not just the words and the imagery, but the process itself- a Muslim Poet and a Jewish Artist, creating together."

Tom Berry and Shagufta Iqbal, 'Diaspora' / Courtesy of Salaam Shalom and the Artists

The striking works of Nasreen Sheikh Jamal Al Lail and Lateefa Spiker, explore religion and spirituality with the notion of improving self through prayer and pilgrimage.

Lateefa Spiker, Islimi Inside / Courtesy of Salaam Shalom and the Artist

Arabic and Hebrew calligraphy are examples of cultural and religious heritage which have survived and adapted over hundreds and thousands of years. Salaam Shalom is privileged to include some masterful calligraphers in this exhibition, including Ruh Al Alam and Josh Baum, the former with his dramatic sweeping brush strokes and the latter with his incredible precision to detail. Vaseem Mohammed's works come somewhere in-between, with his calligraphy a delicate contrast to his vibrant and expressive expanses.

Josh Baum, Hamsa Ketubah / Courtesy of Salaam Shalom and the Artist

Vaseem Mohammed, Horizon II (Fading Moon), 'This too shall pass' / Courtesy of Salaam Shalom and the Artist

Tom Berry's drawings and Maryam Golubeva's paper-cuts also incorporate detailed patterns, but whereas Maryam Golubeva's works are lavishly ornate - with echoes of Ottoman interiors, Tom's style and choice of materials gives his work a much more contemporary look. Amber Khokhar adopts Ottoman motifs in her stunning decorative works too, with her choice of medium being watercolour.

Maryam Golubeva, Al Noor / Courtesy of Salaam Shalom and the Artist

Louise Block's ceramics take self-expression further, embodied in her intuitively process-driven sculptures. Intuition seems to be the driver of Peter Brill's astounding ink and glass works too. The process of repetitive pattern-making, can be imagined as a kind of spiritual process in itself. Lorna Brunstein with her bold installation Baggage, taps into what seems to be at the forefront of our national consciousness, this work points to the consequences of forced migration. As a Second Generation Holocaust Survivor, Lorna tries to make sense of her family’s past. Echoing Lorna Brunstein's work, Verdi Yahooda's photographs share the story of the Adenite community. Yahooda's photographs tell us of history and of loss. But also the defiant nature of culture that finds ways to survive and adapt.

Salaam Shalom aims to build sound and good relations between Muslims and Jews, between them and other communities both in Bristol and in the UK, and indeed between all communities and cultures. Their activities include working with adults, children and young people to challenge prejudice and prevent discrimination.

Please take a look at the rest of the Shared Spaces Programme here.