The Art of Enlightenment: Islamic Contributions to Global Culture

Join us for a panel discussion on the rich heritage and contemporary resonance of Islamic art and architecture. The panel includes Dr Silke Ackermann, Director of the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford, and Dr Abdulrahman Azzam and Muhannad Shono, two of the curators of the forthcoming Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which is the first exhibition of its kind and offers a forum for the display and discussion of Islamic arts and cultures from around the world. Ackermann and Azzam bring their expertise and perspectives on the multifaceted ways in which Islamic philosophies and civilizations have had a profound impact on art and science globally. As a prominent Saudi artist working in Riyadh today, Shono addresses the lasting significance of Islamic cultural heritage for contemporary art. Together, the panellists offer insight into the beauty and breadth of the arts of Islamic cultures, and the profound influence they have had on our shared present.