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Introduction

It Comes in Many Forms

Islamic Art from the Collection
October 23, 2020 - December 18, 2021

This exhibition presents textiles, decorative arts, and works on paper that show the breadth of Islamic artistic production and the diversity of Muslim cultures. Throughout the world for nearly 1,400 years, Islam’s creative expressions have taken many forms—as artworks, functional objects and tools, decoration, fashion, and critique. From a medieval Persian ewer to contemporary clothing, these objects explore migration, diasporas, and exchange.

What makes an object Islamic? Does the artist need to be a practicing Muslim? Is being Muslim a religious expression or a cultural one? Do makers need to be from a predominantly Muslim country? Does the subject matter need to include traditionally Islamic motifs? These objects, a majority of which have never been exhibited before, suggest the difficulty of defining arts from a transnational religious viewpoint.

These exhibition labels add honorifics whenever important figures in Islam are mentioned. SWT is an acronym for subhanahu wa-ta'ala (glorious and exalted is he), a respectful phrase used after every mention of Allah (God). SAW is an acronym for salallahu alayhi wa-sallam (may the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him), used for the Prophet Muhammad, the founder and last messenger of Islam. AS is an acronym for alayhi as-sallam (peace be upon him), and is used for all other prophets before him.

Tayana Fincher Nancy Elizabeth Prophet Fellow Costume and Textiles Department RISD Museum

Events

Talks and Conversations

Talk It Out: Making an Exhibition

January 16, 2020 / 7-8:30 pm
Talks and Conversations Workshops and studios Performances and Screenings Other events

Third Thursday

January 16, 2020 / 5-9 pm
Talks and Conversations Performances and Screenings

Listening Party: Tell Them, I Am

April 23, 2020 / 12-1:30 pm
Talks and Conversations Performances and Screenings

Listening Party: Tell Them, I Am

April 30, 2020 / 12-1:30 pm
Talks and Conversations Performances and Screenings

Listening Party: Tell Them, I Am

May 7, 2020 / 12-1:30 pm
Talks and Conversations Performances and Screenings Third Thursday

Tasting Geographies

A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Culture
May 21, 2020 / 6:30-8:15 pm
Talks and Conversations Viewpoints

Viewpoints: Contemporary Mapping and Global Histories

Virtual program via Zoom
September 23, 2020 / 12-1:15 pm

More Events

Selected Objects

Nuristani, Pakistan Kohistan region

Jumlo (Dress), ca. 1949

Indian, Marwar

Equestrian Portrait of a Raja, late 1700s

J. Pascal Sébah

53. Young Arab Girl (53. Jeune fille arabe), late 1800s

J. Pascal Sébah

209. Turkish Lady at Home (209. Dame turque chez elle), late 1800s

J. Pascal Sébah

231. Turkish Lady at Home (231. Dame turque chez elle), late 1800s

Hausa, Nigeria

Riga (Gown), ca. 1870

Indonesian Javanese, Java Cirebon

Iket Kepala (Man's Headcloth), ca. 1850-1900

Turkish, Turkey

Tabouret, 1800s

Carrie Mae Weems

A Place for Him, A Place for Her, 1993

Indian, India

Woman Partially Wrapped in a Cloth, 1700s

Indian

Sandals, 1800s

Turkish, Turkey

Cheragh (Oil Lamp), early 1700s

Persian

Ewer, ca. 1100 - 1300

Yemeni

Ornaments, ca. early 1900s

Persian, Iran Northwest India

Rustam Compels Aulad to Lead Him to the White Demon, 1400s

Nubian, Sudan, Egypt

Shoe, late 1800s

Moroccan, Fez

Lebba (Necklace), late 1800s-early 1900s

Gujarati Indian

Ghagra (Drawstring Skirt), 1800s

Spanish

Tile, 1500s

Egyptian

Tiraz (Textile Fragment), ca. 1150 - 1200

American

Embroidered Picture, early 1800s

Persian

Joseph Being Sold into Slavery, ca. 1580

Persian

'Ali with His Sons Hassan and Husayn, early 1600s

Malick Sidibé

Untitled, 1973

Edward Grazda

Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan, 1997

Edward Grazda

Taliban at Jadi Maiwand, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1997

Azzedine Alaïa, designer

Woman's top, ca. 2005

Fazal Sheikh

Rachel and Ochol, Family Section, Sudanese Refugee Camp, Lokichoggio, Kenya, 1992-1993

Ganzeer

Of course, Emad, 2014

Uyghur Chinese, Xinjiang, China

Veil, late 1800s - early 1900s

Tunisian

Bridal Veil, early 1900s

Sara Alahbabi, textile designer

Textile Length, 2017

Eliza Squibb, textile designer

Boubou of Grand Boubou Ensemble Worn by Mamoutou Niaré, 2015

Eliza Squibb, textile designer

Pants of Grand Boubou Ensemble worn by Mamadou Niaré, 2015

More objects +

Exhibition Checklist

It Comes in Many Forms : Islamic Art from the Collection

October 23, 2020 - December 18, 2021
View Checklist PDF

RISD Museum

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