Artist Talk: Juan delGado

Juan delGado discusses his Islamic art inspired work entitled “It Must Be This Time, ...Somewhere Else”

Produced in Qatar in February 2014, this work is an intimate response to one of the objects from the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art, based in Doha. The four basic components of Islamic ornament are calligraphy, floral patterns, human representation and geometric designs. I wanted to explore these elements to make a personal comment about how I feel Islamic art is connected to a cosmology that is also embedded in the ritual of Salats (prayers); drawing upon a narrative which swings from abstraction to depiction (of the body) I also wanted to comment on the danger of Islamic Heritage by the current conflicts and war in Syria.

Following the talk, you will have the chance to view our Ilham Exhibition which features work by Juan and other leading artists.

IIham (inspiration) was originally exhibited at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, as part of the Definitely Able conference that explored issues of disability and equal access to arts and culture in the Middle East. Curated by the British Council and Shape Arts, the Qatari exhibition showcased work by international and Qatar based artists. This exhibition features work by the four UK based artists from that show.
The exhibition gives us an insight into the practice of each artist and presents new works made in response to a period of residency in Doha, and exploration of the Museum of Islamic Art’s collections. Assembled from around the Islamic world, the Museum of Islamic Art’s collections represent developments in visual culture spanning three continents and 1,400 years of history. The diversity and breadth of the collections, and the artistic excellence that they exemplify, have inspired these contemporary artists and their practice today.