Emerging Islamic Studio Ceramics: Inspired by Alhambra (الحمراء)

About

Mon 5 – Wed 14 September   11am – 2pm (weekdays only)

Drawing inspiration from the UNESCO world heritage site The Alhambra, ceramic artist Zelal Basodan’s exhibition will create a debate on what defines Islamic art. Utilising the ceramic geometric tiles and Arabic inscriptions from The Alhambra and the Palace’s superb vases with their traditional lustre finish, Zelal will showcase her on-going creative practice as well as the failures in-between.   

As an emerging ceramic artist with an Islamic and Arabic background, Zelal believes that Islamic art reflects her identity and cultural heritage. She also believes that preserving this identity does not mean the rejection of other cultures but to adapt them to each other and to find an in-between. Heritage is not solely history, yet a cultural process that continues to the present (Harrison, 2010; Harvey, 2018). Accordingly, there is a need for contemporary artists to revisit a cultural heritage context and adapt it in their current practice. 

About the artist  

Zelal Basodan is a Saudi emerging ceramic artist/ researcher, with a BA and MA in Islamic Arts, from King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah. She worked at this University from 2009 before moving to Jeddah University in 2018. Alongside this role, she is currently undertaking a practice-based PhD in the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University, exploring the emerging field of Islamic Studio Ceramics. After investigating the practice of Contemporary Islamic Ceramics, Zelal found that only few artists have been identified as studio ceramicists, which is why she felt it was necessary to contribute to this field.  

Accessiblity 

There is step-free access into the exhibition space via a ramp and side door. During opening hours, there will be an invigilator on duty in the gallery. If you require their assistance, then please alert them on arrival by calling to them or waving at them – the entrance of the gallery is fully glazed and the main entrance door should be open.

If you have any specific access requirements then please contact luarts@lboro.ac.uk in advance of your visit and they will do their best to accommodate them.