The Aga Khan Centre Gallery is delighted to present Making Paradise, a major new exhibition that explores the concept of Eden through Islamic garden design.
Throughout the history of Islam, gardens have been seen as embodiments of Paradise, reflecting the bounty of Allah and the blessings of life. Indeed, Paradise is described as a garden not only in the Qur’an, but in countless works of spiritual literature and poetry which portray a lush green sanctuary, irrigated by lakes and fountains. As His Highness said when he opened the Aga Khan Park in Toronto, ‘Gardens are a place where the ephemeral meets the eternal, and where the eternal meets the hand of man.’
Making Paradise brings together digital reproductions of classical miniature paintings from Aga Khan Museum’s permanent collection with other eastern and western depictions of elements associated with Paradise, including Islamic geometry, traditional ceramic work, gold work embroidery, hand-stitched textiles, collage and modern applique techniques. The walls of the gallery will be transformed into the four symbolic quadrants of the Chahar Bagh, based on the ‘four gardens’ of Paradise in the Qur’an. The central focus is a silent fountain, designed by renowned Islamic garden designer Emma Clark. From this will spring a bespoke paper-cut installation of organic forms, created by American collage and installation artist Clare Celeste Börsch. Other featured works include calligraphic pieces by Soraya Syed, four ceramic plates by Yasmin Hayat, tulle embroidery by Olga Prinku and a soundscape of birdsong developed by Geoff Sample.
Making Paradise is supported by a full learning and engagement programme will be accessible to all ages, abilities, social, economic and religious backgrounds, developed in collaboration with the Aga Khan Museum and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The exhibition will also include talks delivered by Emma Clarke and other key project partners including the Royal Horticultural Society. We will be offering a comprehensive learning programme that will cover workshops both online and in person later in the year. Some of the exhibiting artists are lecturers and graduates of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London. This show includes newly commissioned work by UK based and international artists, giving the exhibition a global appeal. Alongside showing works from Aga Khan Museum, the Aga Khan Centre Gallery has collaborated with the collections team at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Library to identify botanical illustrations of specific trees, fruits and flowers mentioned in the Qur’an in relation to gardens of paradise. This exciting show will appeal to audiences interested in gardens, Islamic Art, traditional fine art techniques including gilding, miniature painting, Islamic geometry. This also includes collaborations with The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, whose patron is His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, The Royal School of Needlework, whose patron is The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Royal Horticultural Society.
Making Paradise is presented as a collaborative project between AKF-UK, AKU-ISMC, IIS, AKM and AKTC.
www.agakhancentre.org.uk/gallery/
Exhibition Dates: 29 April — 30 September 2021
Press Preview: Wednesday 28 April