Islamic gallery and more in the Victoria & Albert Museum

The prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum (London) has opened a new Islamic gallery funded by the Jameel family:

The Jameel Gallery

A three-year-long renovation and re-design of the V&A's Islamic Gallery has created an outstanding new home for the collection.
The new Jameel Gallery houses over 400 objects, including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork, which date from the great days of the Islamic caliphate of the 8th and 9th centuries to the years preceding the First World War.
The area covered stretches from Spain in the west to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the east, taking in important centres of artistic production in the Arab lands, Turkey and Iran.
The highlight of the Jameel Gallery is the Ardabil Carpet, the world's oldest dated carpet and one of the largest, most beautiful and historically important in the world.



The Jameel Gallery was made possible by generous support from the Jameel family. It is dedicated to the memory of Mr Abdul Latif Jameel, the late founder of the Abdul Latif Jameel Group, and his wife Nafisa, by Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, their son.
Why the Islamic Middle East?
The rapid rise of Islam in the 7th century AD transformed the history of the Middle East. The religion’s founder, the Prophet Muhammad, was a political leader as well as a religious guide, and after his death in 632, his successors established a vast empire. By 750 it stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the borders of India.
Two hundred years later this single Islamic empire had been replaced by a number of competing states. Despite their rivalries, the Muslim rulers of the time shared many ideas on culture and politics, as well as religion.
This common Islamic heritage was maintained until the 1920s. By then, almost the whole region was divided between European colonial powers and local regimes with a secular outlook.
Throughout this long period Islamic art continued to be produced. It included sophisticated court pieces as well as works of religious art, reflecting Islam’s role both as a religion and a political system

The V&A Museum will be hosting a series of lectures, workshops, and discussions about Islamic art too:

Study Day - Islamic Art in the Middle East, 750-1900Saturday 29 July, 10.30-16.45
The 7th century was a remarkable period in the Middle East: it witnessed the birth of both a new religion, Islam, and of a new and mighty state, the Islamic Empire. Over the following 1,000 years, these forces produced artwork of great quality and beauty. This study day will provide a lively introduction to this astonishing legacy.Tickets:£38/£32/£12.Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Two-day practical course (mixed ability) - CorsagesMonday 31 July & Tuesday 1 August, 10.30-16.00
A two-day workshop to create amazing corsages inspired by the floral and plant motifs found in Islamic art. Participants will combine a range of fabrics, incorporating beads and feathers, and experiment with a variety of techniques.Tickets: £76 (no concessions)Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Two-day practical course - Decorative BagsWednesday 2 & 9 August, 10.30-16.00
Design and make a unique textile bag, inspired by geometric patterns and plant forms, Day one will be taking inspiration from the gallery and experimenting with a variety of textile techniques including applique and cut work. Day two will cover the construction of the bag and the application of linings, handles and fastenings.Tickets: £76 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Turkish Weekend - Tulips, Tiles and Coffee CultureSaturday 5 & Sunday 6 August, 10.00-17.00
Visit our specially constructed coffee house; enjoy events including traditional and contemporary storytelling, music, art workshops, special talks and tours and an opportunity to dress up in traditional costumes and have your photograph taken. Plus national food in the Café.The John Madejski Garden and throughout the V&A,Free and drop-inInformation: 020 7942 2211

One-day practical course (mixed ability) - Drawing: Geometry in Islamic ArtSaturday 5 August, 10.30-16.00
This workshop introduces Islamic geometric patterns, tracing their origins in nature. Participants will learn how to draw patterns underpinning Islamic art using just a compass and straight edge. Experiment with the presentation of finished drawings using handmade paper and watercolours.Tickets: £38 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Gallery talk - Islamic Space: Cooled SpaceSunday 6 August, 13.00
Light, water and sound are used in many Islamic structures to temper hot climates. Investigate the relationship between experience and architectural form. Part of a series of gallery talks exploring the way Islamic art objects inhabit and define domestic, religious and public space.FreeMeet at the Meeting Point in the Grand Entrance, V&AInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Two-day practical course - Tassels and TrimmingsMonday 7 & Tuesday 8 August, 10.30-16.00
Create beautiful tassels and cords and use them to adorn anything from your handbag to your home. Participants will use beautiful threads, ribbons and beads to embellish their designs, drawing inspiration from the V&A's Islamic art collection.Tickets: £76 (includes materials)Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Two-day practical course (beginners) - Persian PaintingSaturday 12 & Sunday 13 August, 10.30-16.00
Focusing on the illustrated manuscript tradition, this course will introduce you to miniature painting through the V&A's collections. It will cover the techniques of Islamic manuscript illustration using traditional brushes, paper and colour pigments.Tickets: £76 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

One-day practical course (beginners) - JewelleryMonday 14 August,10.30-16.00
Design and make a piece of jewellery, using the patterns and motifs found in Islamic art as your starting point. Participants will incorporate pre-cut metal shapes in their own design work and will experiment with a variety of cold-working techniques.Tickets: £38 Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Two-day practical course (mixed ability) - WeavingTuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 August, 10.30-16.00
Create a personalised woven bag inspired by the geometrical and naturalistic forms found in Islamic art. The course will explore the essential techniques of this versatile medium encouraging the use a wide range of materials such as wire, plastic, paper yarn and natural fibre.Tickets: £76 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

One-day practical course (beginners) - CalligraphySaturday 19 August, 10.30-16.00
Learn about the history and practice of Arabic calligraphic forms and motifs, finally exploring the Kufic style in depth. Inspired by the beautiful calligraphic texts found in the V&A's Islamic collections, you will practise writing a variety of such forms.Tickets: £38 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Two-day practical course (mixed ability) - MosaicsMonday 21 & Tuesday 22 August, 10.30-16.00
The abundant geometric, floral and plant motifs in Islamic art lend themselves particularly well to mosaic work. Design and make a decorative mosaic taking inspiration from the range of artefacts on display, while experimenting with cutting and shaping glazed ceramic tiles.Tickets: £76 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
One-day practical course (mixed ability) - Painting CeramicsWednesday 23 August, 10.30-16.00
Learn about traditional Islamic design principles of geometry and natural form, and decorate a handmade hexagonal tile. Participants will be taught traditional brushwork techniques to apply a beautiful range of coloured glazes inspired by ceramics in the Islamic collections.Tickets: £38 (includes materials).Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Arabian Weekend - Souk, Scripts and SoundbitesSaturday 26 & Sunday 27 August, 10.00-17.00
Experience the sights and sounds of an Arab marketplace: discover Arabian art and design and try your hand at Arabic writing. Listen to traditional storytelling and music, watch a Mansoojat costume presentation, and browse amongst market stalls selling traditional and contemporary Arab art and other goods.The John Madejski Garden and throughout the V&A,Free and drop-inInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Gallery talk - Islamic Space: Objects and SpaceWednesday 30 August, 18.30
Discover the way key objects make a special space for themselves and their users. Part of a series of gallery talks exploring the way Islamic art objects inhabit and define domestic, religious and public space.FreeMeet at the Meeting Point in the Grand Entrance, V&AInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Gallery talk - Islamic Space: Words make SpaceThursday 7 September, 13.00
A look at the way in which texts, and the ideas that they convey, define the meaning of architectural space in significant Islamic places. Part of a series of gallery talks exploring the way Islamic art objects inhabit and define domestic, religious and public space.FreeMeet at the Meeting Point in the Grand Entrance, V&AInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Iranian Weekend - Poetry, Picnics and Persian PastimesSaturday 9 & Sunday 10 September, 10.00-17.00
Be entertained by music, poetry, storytelling and other Persian pastimes while picnicking in our Iranian outdoor setting. Enjoy a perfume workshop, and dress up in traditional Iranian fashions and have your photograph taken. Plus special talks and tours, and Iranian picnic food in the Café.The John Madejski Garden and throughout the V&A,Free and drop-inInformation: 020 7942 2211

Part-time year course - Arts of Asia 1500-1900: Islamic Middle East, South Asia and ChinaMondays from 18 September, 11.00-15.30
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Asian visual art and forms a survey of all art forms, from painting and calligraphy to ceramics, metal work and textiles. Each term will stand alone, looking at design history, technique, political meaning, functional context and the influence of trade of a different region of Asia. Tickets: per term £480/£135, per year £1,400/£400Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

Architecture talk and object handling - Collecting Islam: Travels in AndaluciaTuesday 19 September, 13.00
Includes discussion of The Alhambra, Cordoba, The Alcazar, and examples of designs for Spanish Islamic ornament. Part of a series of free lunchtime talks exploring different aspects of Islamic architecture by looking close-up at original drawings, prints, photographs and paintings..Free and drop-inV&A + R IBA Study Rooms, V&AInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Study day and site visit - Interpretations of Islam 28 September, 10.30-17.00
Explore two interpretations of Islamic architecture: the Arab Hall at Leighton House, and the Ismaili Centre on Cromwell Road, and delve into the dreams and aspirations of their clients and architects. Speakers include Professor Nanji, Director of the Institute of Ismaili Studies, and Professor Caroline Dakers, author of The Holland Park Circle: Artists and Victorian Society. This one-day event includes guided visits to both venues, and examination of architects' drawings and the ideas behind them. Part of the V&A's InsideOuting seriesTickets: £36/£31/£12.Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Architecture talk and object handling - Collecting Islam: Contemporary Islam Tues 17 October, 13.00
Includes discussion of Zaha Hadid's Strasbourg Mosque, Beirut and Bernard Khoury, The Ismaili Centre, and The London Markaz. Part of a series of free lunchtime talks exploring different aspects of Islamic architecture by looking close-up at original drawings, prints, photographs and paintings.Free and drop-inV&A + RIBA Study Rooms, V&AInformation: 020 7942 2211 or www.vam.ac.uk/islamicarchitecture

Critical debate - Architecture And… Contemporary Islam1 November, 19.00-20.30
The V&A's Islamic architecture season culminates in this important debate on how contemporary Islamic culture is expressed through architecture. Join a distinguished panel of architects, academics and cultural commentators to identify current preconceptions about Islamic architecture, and discuss the ways that architecture can articulate Islamic culture today and in the future. Part of the V&A's Architecture And…. seriesTickets: £10/£8/£6.50Information and booking: 020 7942 2211 or bookings.office@vam.ac.uk

The website provides a bibliography as well: genral readings, Islamic ceramics and glass, Islamic metalwork, and especially Islamic textiles and dress.