Dubai: Contemporary works of artists from across the Middle East are expected to dispel ignorance in how people view the Muslim world when they go on display at the first museum dedicated to Muslim Civilisations in North America.
More than 20 diverse works of 12 artists, all united by the theme of migrations and geographical displacement, including the struggle of having to cope with an ever-shifting world, will be on display at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto from July 25, 2015 to January 3, 2016.
The works of the artists from the Barjeel Art Foundation from Sharjah, which was established by Sultan Sooud Al Qassimi, will range from photography and video to installation, sculpture and painting and will give the audience in Toronto a better understanding of the type of work coming from this part of the world.
The exhibition, Home Ground: Contemporary Art from the Barjeel Art Foundation, will help link two global cities and create a mutual understanding, said Al Qassimi at a press conference held at the Ismaili Centre in Dubai.
“This exhibition is opening at a time of great importance in which we are all in need of more understanding and sharing of values not only between the Middle East and North America but across the world,” he said. A city like Toronto resembles Dubai in the sense that they are global cities with many people who have migrated in search of better opportunities.”
Al Qassimi said the artwork reflects this reality. “The exhibition is not only sharing with people those artworks but is creating a network by connecting the audience there with the artists.”
Arif Lalani, Canada’s Ambassador to the UAE, believes that during this critical time, culture can be a tool to help others understand the Islamic world and Islamic principles in depth, including the diversity in Islamic civilisations and their contribution to humanity.
Suheyla Takesh, Curator and Exhibitions Manager of the Barjeel Art Foundation, said the artists are expressing their years of travel, the challenges of migration and what is it like building a home abroad.
“Through works of art these contemporary artists have also been able to describe what is it like to live abroad. The stories are very specific to the artists, but they have a universal relevance and many people will relate to them,” she said.
On the sidelines of the exhibition there will be music and dance from the Arab world as part of the overall programme, confirmed Henry Kim, Director and CEO of Agha Khan Museum, in a videoconference call. He also said a catalogue will be produced in Arabic and English.
