The exhibition, which will run from May 15 to June 17, will focus on two
traditions, renowned for their glorification of the beauty of Islam
through art.
The first is an assortment of Hilye-i Serif (The Noble Hilya), a form of
classic calligraphic art. The second is a collection of tesbih (prayer
beads), used for ruminative prayer.
Collected by renowned Turkish expert Mehmet Cebi, more than 200 pieces
will feature in the exhibition, which brings together what is widely
acknowledged to be one of the finest collections of its kind, anywhere
in the world.
Mehmet Cebi is the founder of the world’s first Noble Hilya and Prayer
Beads Museum in Suleymaniye-Istanbul, and has been developing his
collection related to classical calligraphy and Noble Hilya with a
contemporary approach to this traditional art form since the 1990’s. His
collections have been exhibited in more than 30 venues in Turkey and
abroad.
Contemporary Calligraphy – Mehmet Cebi Collection will reflect the
importance of calligraphy as a major form of artistic expression in
Islamic cultures and highlight QM’s commitment to building bridges of
understanding between cultures through organising broad and varied
exhibitions and programmes that celebrate art, heritage and creativity.
Mehmet Cebi’s vision in developing the collection is to deepen
understanding and appreciation for the art form around the world.
Commenting on the exhibition, Khalid al-Ibrahim, chief strategic
planning officer at QM said: "One of our key objectives at QM is to
invite people to learn about the full scope of Islamic art, building a
true appreciation for the significance and importance of Islamic culture
and its contribution to the world we live in.”
"The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) houses one of the greatest collections
of Islamic Art in the world, spanning more than 1,400 years and covering
an enormous variety of art forms plays an invaluable role in this
regard. Now, this exhibition at the QM Gallery Al Riwaq will represent
an important step in this direction and we invite audiences from Qatar
and around the region to experience for themselves the wonder of such
calligraphic art,” he said.
The collection at the QM Gallery Al Riwaq will build on the strength of
the collection of Islamic Art at MIA, which includes metalwork,
ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles and glass.
Over the years, MIA has built widespread appreciation and interest in
Islamic calligraphy through a variety of workshops, education
programs, family events and activities.
Source: GTimes