Living Histories – Recent Acquisitions of Works on Paper by Contemporary Arab Artists

5 June '17 - 22 October '17

This display highlights recent acquisitions of posters, prints, drawings, photographs and artists’ books. Many of the artists come from Syria, their work produced following the uprisings that began in 2011 that have since resulted in full scale civil war.

The British Museum collects art such as this in keeping with its role as a museum of history. These works speak of their time – they invite the viewer to look at the troubled politics of the Middle East today through a lens that is different from the world of the immediacy of media reports.

Also included in the display is an installation by Cambridge-based Syrian artist Issam Kourbaj. The starting point for this work was misshapen pottery from 12th–13th-century Aleppo from the Museum’s collection, now juxtaposed with drawings and repurposed objects highlighting the plight of Syrians today.

The acquisitions are made possible by the patrons’ group (CaMMEA), the Art Fund and a number of generous donations.

More information about the artworks

Venue

The British Museum

The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG

Organiser

The British Museum

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