The Allen will be closed on April 9 in observance of Easter.

Closed Easter Sunday
The Allen will be closed on April 9 in observance of Easter.
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Learn MoreJanuary 3 - August 6, 2023
In Ripin Gallery
January 3 - August 6, 2023
In Ripin Gallery
Does Islam forbid making images of people? Various Muslim societies have interpreted the religion’s prohibition of idolatry—specifically worship of statues—in different ways.
Despite this rich variety, some widespread customs in representation have developed over time. Mosque decoration, for example, is often without human figures and includes vegetal, stylized, or geometric designs. On the other hand, traditional book illustrations often depicted people. This exhibition showcases different types of representation in Islamic art and includes textiles, prints, and works by contemporary artists Shirin Neshat and Burhan Doğançay.
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History in the field of Islamic art, architecture, and material culture
Joan L. Danforth Curator of Asian Art
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