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Edward Grazda, Taliban at Jadi Maiwand, Kabul, Afghanistan. Helen M. Danforth Acquisition Fund

It Comes in Many Forms

Islamic Art from the Collection
October 23, 2020 - December 18, 2021
Edward Grazda, Taliban at Jadi Maiwand, Kabul, Afghanistan. Helen M. Danforth Acquisition Fund

Introduction

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

Tayana Fincher

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Events

It Comes in Many Forms

Islamic Art from the Collection
October 2, 2020 - December 18, 2021
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Contemporary Mapping and Global Histories
September 23, 2020 / 12-1:15 pm
Indian Equestrian Portrait of a Raja, late 1700s Ink and watercolor on paper 24.1 x 17 cm (9 1/2 x 6 11/16 inches) Gift of Catherine and Ralph Benkaim 1986.151.3
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Tasting Geographies

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

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It Comes in Many Forms : Islamic Art from the Collection

October 23, 2020 - December 18, 2021
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