Pittsburgh Exhibit Challenges the Distinctions between "Islamic" & "Western" Art

AHLUL BAYT NEWS AGENCY (ABNA)
March 14, 2011

"Gold Oil Barrel #10" by Shiva Ahmadi

PENNSYLVANIA -- Michael Berger Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will be the city's first exhibit of contemporary Islamic art. The exhibit, "Dis[locating] Culture" challenges the idea that Islamic art is a separate category from Western Art and is co-curated by Reem Alalusi. The exhibit breaks down cultural and religious stereotypes by showcasing the finest American Islamic artists -– whether Muslim by faith or not. Some of the nine artists included come from the Islamic world but do not live there; some neither live nor have roots in the Muslim world, and yet their works are classified under the Islamic umbrella as a result of their political, social, or even technical choices. Artists such as Iranian-born Shoja Azari, Californian Sandow Birk and Bangladesh-native Anoka Faruqee are among the top-notch lineup assembled for the show. The exhibition's opening reception will be on Friday, 15 April 2011 and the exhibition will continue through July 30, 2011. [link]