Objects of Islamic faith and culture explored in new National Museum of Australia exhibition
Updated
Embroidered textiles from Uzbekistan, musical instruments from Morocco and a horse saddle from North Africa are all part of a colourful and cultural new exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (NMA).
'So That You Might Know Each Other: Faith and Culture in Islam' brings together objects from the Vatican Anima Mundi Museum of World Arts and Cultures and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.
The exhibition features more than 100 precious 18th to 20th-century artefacts from more than 20 countries.
Director of the NMA Mathew Trinca said it was the first time many of the objects would be on display outside their own institutions.
"There's just beautiful things in this exhibition from across the Islamic world," Dr Trinca said.
"They're all, in their own right, quite transfixing objects."
Dr Trinca hoped the exhibition would inspire audiences to "open up and embrace difference".
"It's about being willing to sponsor and establish a dialogue about things that matter in our society," he said.
"Every time we look at something that comes from another culture or society, we're taken into the lives of others.
"Half of what we need to do as human beings is come to an understanding of other people and other people's experiences."
The collection of artefacts paints a picture of the various expressions of Islam around the world.
"There are objects from Africa, the Middle East, Persia, India, Pakistan, across South-East Asia and Indonesia of course to the Philippines," Dr Trinca said.
"It's an introduction to the breadth of Islamic cultures around the world.
"The story comes home too, to Australia."
Curators have included objects from the NMA's collection, including an intricate bark painting depicting early contact between Aboriginal people and Muslim fishermen from Indonesia.
"We've been able to include some objects talking about people of Islamic faith in Australia," Dr Trinca added.
'So That You Might Know Each Other: Faith and Culture in Islam' is on display at the NMA from April 20 to July 22.
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, library-museum-and-gallery, islam, canberra-2600
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