Islamic Art

In 2016 we were lucky enough to meet Islamic Art expert Roberta Marin, who designed a new range of specialized and fascinating courses including: Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture, Islamic Art and Architecture in Central Asia and Iraq, Islamic Art in the Mediterranean and The History of Carpets from the Islamic World.

For more information about our current Islamic Art courses, click here

Below you can read about how Roberta Marin became interested in Islamic Art and Architecture and how her career developed from there.

After my BA, I had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Middle East and I became fascinated by the rich culture of the countries I visited. I enjoyed losing myself in the souks, wandering inside the major mosques and madrasas in Cairo, Istanbul, Marrakesh and absorbing a new vocabulary of patterns and motifs. I was inspired to do an MA in Art and Archaeology with a focus on Islamic Art and Architecture at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). It was an exciting year! I met excellent lecturers who were a source of inspiration and thanks to a scholarship by Ralph Pinder-Wilson, I had the financial support to do fieldwork for my MA thesis in Cairo. Following my MA, I worked at the Asian Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, collaborated with the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, and I  taught at various public institutions, such as the Birkbeck College, the London College of Communication, SOAS, Asia House and the University of York. The interest I developed in Islamic art and architecture during my travels and the year as MA student at SOAS have changed my life and I have to admit that they have been the best things that could have ever happened to me!

SPECIFIC CALLIGRAPHY FAQS:

How many students will be in each class?
There will be a maximum of 15 students in each class.

How will the course be taught?

Teaching in the classroom will be supported by richly illustrated PowerPoint presentations and an optional visit to the Islamic gallery of the British Museum/ V&A Museum.

GENERAL FAQS:

Can I book a place and pay later?

No, your place on the course will only be confirmed on receipt of the course fee in full.

How can I sign up to a class?

To sign up to a course, you need to book online on the website section ‘Book a Course’. You can find information about our current Islamic Art courses and book online here

What methods of payment do you accept?

Please use our online booking system (‘Book a Course’ on the main menu of our website) to secure a seat on a course. You will need a debit or credit card to make a payment. Seats are reserved on a first come first serve basis. If you have any problem or further questions contact us on 020 78321310 or info@arabbritishcentre.org.uk 

What is your refund policy?

Our courses are often over-subscribed so the sooner you let us know you’ve changed your mind the better. We can then open your place up to someone else. Our rules on refunds are:

  • 75%  of the course fee will be refunded if you let us know more than 30 days before the course start date.
  • 50% of the course fee will be refunded if you let us know within 10 – 30 days before the course start date.
  • No refund will be given if you let us know fewer than 10 days before the course start date.

What happens if you cancel the course?

We will endeavour to ensure courses are not cancelled but if this does happen we will contact you as quickly as we can to let you know and to arrange a full refund.

Please contact us if you have any further questions on 020 78321310 or info@arabbritishcentre.org.uk