Landmark exhibition
Exhibition: Ash Shams wal Qamar
(The Sun and the Moon)
Free · Open to all — no ticket or booking required
At the heart of the festival is the landmark exhibition, Ash Shams wal Qamar (The Sun and the Moon), celebrating the rich traditions of Islamic Art practiced in Britain and beyond.
The exhibition, on display between 19th and 29th November, brings together contemporary artists practising Islamic art. Celebrating the central themes of the festival ‘beauty’ and ‘friendship’, Ash Shams wal Qamar explores the idea of the light giver and receiver, the lover and the beloved in the Islamic mystical tradition, and ultimately the relationship between God and human. The apparent dichotomy of ‘self’ and ‘other’ are held in tension across this triad of themes, revealing the complexities of friendship. The collection showcases different art forms from the Islamic art tradition including Persian miniature painting, calligraphy and manuscript illumination, wood and metal carving.
From the opening on 20th November, the exhibition will be free to view for all visitors without prior booking every day between 10:00–20:00 (weekends) and 10:00–19:00 (weekdays).
Featured artists
Anahita Alavi
Mughal Miniature
Ibrahim Batchelder
Wood Parquetry, Carving and Metal Engraving
Naoki Yamamoto
Japanese–Arabic Calligraphy
Mahmoud Atef
Arabic Calligraphy
Samira Mian
Islamic Geometry
Zahra Halepota
Islamic Illumination
Mariam Ashraf
Qamariya Carving
Marzieh Kiavani
Wood Parquetry
Elif Halle Gokcen
Calligraphy
The exhibition has been organised with the support of The School of Calligraphy & Ornamentation (SOCO) and in collaboration with The Neer Collective.
About The Neer Collective
The Neer Collective is a collective of artists practising and preserving traditional arts, and co-creating with communities in Britain, Egypt and Pakistan. It is also an educational and research initiative documenting unexplored artistic histories.
About The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation (SOCO)
The School of Calligraphy & Ornamentation (SOCO), established in 2023 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, is a government institution dedicated to preserving, teaching, and advancing the traditional arts of the Islamic manuscript.
Based in Fujairah, UAE, SOCO offers specialized educational programs in Arabic calligraphy, Islamic geometric and botanical ornamentation, miniature painting, illumination, gilding, and bookbinding. Through workshops, long-term courses, exhibitions, and cultural collaborations, the School aims to preserve traditional artistic knowledge, nurture emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of Islamic arts among local and international audiences.