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More than 120 of the finest examples of Islamic arts, ranging from jewel encrusted objects, rare
ceramics, finely detailed miniatures and illustrated written texts, have been selected for the
internationally touring exhibition The Art of Islam - Islamic Art and Patronage: Treasures from
Kuwait.
The works in the exhibition are from the al-Sabah Collection, which is housed at the Kuwait
National Museum. This collection has been formed by principal members of the Kuwait Royal
Family, Sheik Nasir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and his wife Sheikha Hassah Sabah al-Salem
al-Sabah. Begun in 1975, the collection is regarded as one of the most important in the world,
containing as it does a comprehensive collection of rare and significant Islamic art objects.
This Royal collection was placed in the care of the Kuwait National Museum in 1983. During the
Gulf War in 1990 the Museum buildings were ransacked and destroyed, but most of the pieces
had been taken before the destruction and therefore saved. Since then the al-Sabah Collection
has mostly either been in storage or touring the world.
"The worlds of Islam reach from the Iberian peninsula to the islands of Indonesia. The arts of
Islam reflect the cultural and artistic opportunities of such a breadth of place and history in
works as varied as exquisite calligraphies, Indian and Persian miniatures, ceramics, metalwork
and of course the hallmark carpets. The arts of Islam are not well known in Australia and this
most welcome and timely exhibition will aesthetically entrance and profoundly inform," said
Edmund Capon, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Created between the 8th and 18th centuries, these Islamic arts reflect the wide range produced in
countries stretching from Spain to India and throughout the Middle East. While Islam has a wide
geographic spread, common themes and principles of design unite the art produced; and patterns
from nature or geometry are found throughout the Islamic world.
Many of the pieces were made by unknown artists who worked for courts or wealthy individuals.
Royal patronage was considered an obligation to provide for the community's spiritual life as
well as sponsoring non-religious culture. Ruling families sponsored the construction of mosques
and other religious buildings including their decoration by artists of the highest calibre. In the
21st century, the Royal Family of Kuwait continues this tradition of patronage through
supporting and sponsoring the Kuwait National Museum.
ceramics, finely detailed miniatures and illustrated written texts, have been selected for the
internationally touring exhibition The Art of Islam - Islamic Art and Patronage: Treasures from
Kuwait.
The works in the exhibition are from the al-Sabah Collection, which is housed at the Kuwait
National Museum. This collection has been formed by principal members of the Kuwait Royal
Family, Sheik Nasir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah and his wife Sheikha Hassah Sabah al-Salem
al-Sabah. Begun in 1975, the collection is regarded as one of the most important in the world,
containing as it does a comprehensive collection of rare and significant Islamic art objects.
This Royal collection was placed in the care of the Kuwait National Museum in 1983. During the
Gulf War in 1990 the Museum buildings were ransacked and destroyed, but most of the pieces
had been taken before the destruction and therefore saved. Since then the al-Sabah Collection
has mostly either been in storage or touring the world.
"The worlds of Islam reach from the Iberian peninsula to the islands of Indonesia. The arts of
Islam reflect the cultural and artistic opportunities of such a breadth of place and history in
works as varied as exquisite calligraphies, Indian and Persian miniatures, ceramics, metalwork
and of course the hallmark carpets. The arts of Islam are not well known in Australia and this
most welcome and timely exhibition will aesthetically entrance and profoundly inform," said
Edmund Capon, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Created between the 8th and 18th centuries, these Islamic arts reflect the wide range produced in
countries stretching from Spain to India and throughout the Middle East. While Islam has a wide
geographic spread, common themes and principles of design unite the art produced; and patterns
from nature or geometry are found throughout the Islamic world.
Many of the pieces were made by unknown artists who worked for courts or wealthy individuals.
Royal patronage was considered an obligation to provide for the community's spiritual life as
well as sponsoring non-religious culture. Ruling families sponsored the construction of mosques
and other religious buildings including their decoration by artists of the highest calibre. In the
21st century, the Royal Family of Kuwait continues this tradition of patronage through
supporting and sponsoring the Kuwait National Museum.
Islamic Art
and Patronage :
Treasures from Kuwait
and Patronage :
Treasures from Kuwait
