The Arts of Islam An Appreciation
By Anne Fairrbairn Am
I was very moved by the speech made by sheikha Hassa sabah al-salem
al-sabah at the opeing of Arts of islam at The Art Gallery of NSW,on november
29th . I agree with sheikha Hassa that this exhibition of The Art of Islam is not
only about history, it is a massage for peace and harmony and a tribute to
creativity .
Indeed we do see the hand of god in the beauty of these works of Art. As
Hippocrates (460-357 BC)wrote- Life is short the art long , Here some of the
finest examples of Islamic art spanning hundreds of years are being
generously shared with the Australian people .
These works are from the collection formed by members of the Kuwaiti Royal
family and housed at the Museum of kuwait . There are rare ceramics ,finely
detailed minature paintings, jewel embelished treasures, exquisite pendants as
well as words rendered in superb calligraphy .
These works of art were derived from the Muslim empire which stretched from
spain to India and further East, from 8th to 18th centuries .
By Anne Fairrbairn Am
I was very moved by the speech made by sheikha Hassa sabah al-salem
al-sabah at the opeing of Arts of islam at The Art Gallery of NSW,on november
29th . I agree with sheikha Hassa that this exhibition of The Art of Islam is not
only about history, it is a massage for peace and harmony and a tribute to
creativity .
Indeed we do see the hand of god in the beauty of these works of Art. As
Hippocrates (460-357 BC)wrote- Life is short the art long , Here some of the
finest examples of Islamic art spanning hundreds of years are being
generously shared with the Australian people .
These works are from the collection formed by members of the Kuwaiti Royal
family and housed at the Museum of kuwait . There are rare ceramics ,finely
detailed minature paintings, jewel embelished treasures, exquisite pendants as
well as words rendered in superb calligraphy .
These works of art were derived from the Muslim empire which stretched from
spain to India and further East, from 8th to 18th centuries .
In this exhibition we can enjoy a creative brilliance, hitherto unknown to many of us – the inspired genius of a vigorous
civilization which is not always fully understood by the West and, if explored, can certainly lead to a deeper understanding
while also fostering mutual respect in the present extremely tense world.
The message of this exhibition is indeed, as the Premier Bob Carr expressed it at the launch, “A plea for engagement.’
It is so easy to stereotype, humiliate and vilify people when there is extreme tension within the community, but in Australia,
where we are proud to live in one of the most successfully multicultural nations in the world, to visit this exhibition will
certainly help foster understanding and therefore maintain harmony within our diversity.
I firmly believe that we must all endeavour to avoid the clash of civilizations. By embracing the profound message of this
exhibition we can help prevent such a clash.
Art and culture are essential components of the Islamic faith. Throughout Muslim culture within all facets of daily life whether
ritual or domestic, there is the belief that beauty is a quality of the Divine. To be surrounded by beauty brings one closer to
God.
Many masterpieces of Islamic Art on display are by unknown artists who worked for wealthy people. The work of these
humble and anonymous artists can now be celebrated with all those who have given of their talent to our sometimes troubled
world.
Having visited Kuwait several times and also Iraq, I can see from my observation of the material in the Museum of Kuwait, the
collection in the Museum of Baghdad, and also in museums in Egypt and many other Arab countries, and in Spain and India,
how much in common all human beings have. The soaring delights of creativity, whether an 11th century rock crystal bottle
from Egypt or a splash-glazed ceramic bowl (as seen in the present exhibition), at least in shape they are similar to utensils
used in the West. We can only delight, as we explore this exhibition in the different ways human beings have made their lives
beautiful over the centuries.
As French author, Emile Zola (1840-1902) wrote in “Le Momente Artistique” – ‘Art is a human product, a human secretion; it is
our body that sweats the beauty of out world.’
From the post classical period (1250-1500), after Mogul forces took Baghdad in the 12th century, there was a vital link forged
between Europe and China and figurative imagery emerged. Superb examples of this are part of the collection on display.
I advise anyone who visits The Arts of Islam to stand for a few moments before the finely carved eight hundred years old
marble column from Spain. You will be overawed by the details on this column.
English author, Henry James (1843-1916) wrote in a letter to H.G. Wells, “It is art that makes life, makes interest…and I know of
no substitute for the force and beauty of this process.” His words certainly apply to this superb exhibition.
Congratulations to Sheik Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his wife, Sheikha Hussa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and the
Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mr. Edmond Capon, for the generosity of spirit they display by buildings
bridges of understanding within Australia during this challenging period in out history.
civilization which is not always fully understood by the West and, if explored, can certainly lead to a deeper understanding
while also fostering mutual respect in the present extremely tense world.
The message of this exhibition is indeed, as the Premier Bob Carr expressed it at the launch, “A plea for engagement.’
It is so easy to stereotype, humiliate and vilify people when there is extreme tension within the community, but in Australia,
where we are proud to live in one of the most successfully multicultural nations in the world, to visit this exhibition will
certainly help foster understanding and therefore maintain harmony within our diversity.
I firmly believe that we must all endeavour to avoid the clash of civilizations. By embracing the profound message of this
exhibition we can help prevent such a clash.
Art and culture are essential components of the Islamic faith. Throughout Muslim culture within all facets of daily life whether
ritual or domestic, there is the belief that beauty is a quality of the Divine. To be surrounded by beauty brings one closer to
God.
Many masterpieces of Islamic Art on display are by unknown artists who worked for wealthy people. The work of these
humble and anonymous artists can now be celebrated with all those who have given of their talent to our sometimes troubled
world.
Having visited Kuwait several times and also Iraq, I can see from my observation of the material in the Museum of Kuwait, the
collection in the Museum of Baghdad, and also in museums in Egypt and many other Arab countries, and in Spain and India,
how much in common all human beings have. The soaring delights of creativity, whether an 11th century rock crystal bottle
from Egypt or a splash-glazed ceramic bowl (as seen in the present exhibition), at least in shape they are similar to utensils
used in the West. We can only delight, as we explore this exhibition in the different ways human beings have made their lives
beautiful over the centuries.
As French author, Emile Zola (1840-1902) wrote in “Le Momente Artistique” – ‘Art is a human product, a human secretion; it is
our body that sweats the beauty of out world.’
From the post classical period (1250-1500), after Mogul forces took Baghdad in the 12th century, there was a vital link forged
between Europe and China and figurative imagery emerged. Superb examples of this are part of the collection on display.
I advise anyone who visits The Arts of Islam to stand for a few moments before the finely carved eight hundred years old
marble column from Spain. You will be overawed by the details on this column.
English author, Henry James (1843-1916) wrote in a letter to H.G. Wells, “It is art that makes life, makes interest…and I know of
no substitute for the force and beauty of this process.” His words certainly apply to this superb exhibition.
Congratulations to Sheik Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his wife, Sheikha Hussa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and the
Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mr. Edmond Capon, for the generosity of spirit they display by buildings
bridges of understanding within Australia during this challenging period in out history.
Anne Fairbairn,
is a widely published Australian poet, artist and journalist. In 1998 she was awarded one of Australia's highest honours when
made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) - for services to literature as a poet and to international relations, particularly
between Australia and the Middle East. Since 1980 she has been involved in building a Bridge of Poems between Australia
and the Arab world. She has won numerous awards and honours for literature in Australia and abroad. Her many publications
include Shadows of our Dreaming (Angus and Robertson 1983), a celebration of early Australia with haiku-like poems set
beside her evocative black and white drawings. In 1999 Fairbairn was contracted by the Australian government to compile a
volume of poetry to celebrate the Centenary of Federation of Australia. The examples of her haiku in this Anthology are taken
from her recent compilation, Djuringa Haiku.
is a widely published Australian poet, artist and journalist. In 1998 she was awarded one of Australia's highest honours when
made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) - for services to literature as a poet and to international relations, particularly
between Australia and the Middle East. Since 1980 she has been involved in building a Bridge of Poems between Australia
and the Arab world. She has won numerous awards and honours for literature in Australia and abroad. Her many publications
include Shadows of our Dreaming (Angus and Robertson 1983), a celebration of early Australia with haiku-like poems set
beside her evocative black and white drawings. In 1999 Fairbairn was contracted by the Australian government to compile a
volume of poetry to celebrate the Centenary of Federation of Australia. The examples of her haiku in this Anthology are taken
from her recent compilation, Djuringa Haiku.
Islamic Art
and Patronage :
Treasures from Kuwait
and Patronage :
Treasures from Kuwait
