Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City, USA
Curator
Kimberly Masteller, Jeanne McCray Beals Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
This exhibition was framed by the layering of tradition and the modern. The 28 works ranged from the 9th to the 21st centuries and were drawn from Islamic cultures across the globe. Featured artworks include ceramics, textiles, miniature paintings, decorative brass, photographs, and video art.
Works from the Illuminations series were featured alongside contemporary artists including Shirin Neshat, Rashid Rana, and Hayv Kahraman.
“This exhibition highlights some of the outstanding works in our collection that have not been seen in a long time,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “Enriched with magnificent loans that introduced Kansas City audiences to contemporary art from or inspired by the Islamic lands.”
As part of the exhibition, Ahmed participated in a conference exploring the impact of Islamic art on contemporary artistic practice, alongside Shahzia Sikander, Hayv Kahraman and Asheer Akram.