Calligeofiguresques: An Introduction to Islamic Art

Submitted by Oxford Festival... on May 24, 2017 - 11:19

Venue, Timing and Cost

Venue: 
Magdalen College School
Date(s): 
Saturday, 1 July 2017
Timing: 
9:30-10:30
Cost: 
£8/£6/£2

In Europe, in both a religious and secular context, we are used to art which is representational, and it is commonly held that Islamic art is non-representational. This lecture introduces Islamic art through its three most widely appreciated non-representational strands, Arabic calligraphy (the Islamic art form par excellence), geometry, and the arabesque. However, it also explores the figural side of Islamic art, and shows how widespread figural art really is - even, most surprisingly, in some religious settings. The lecture concludes by highlighting the way art reflects the deep theological divide between Sunni (orthodox) Islam and Shi'ism.

Further Information

Talk
Written and Spoken Word