AT THE ALLEN / SPRING 2023 / 11 ON VIEW / RIPIN GALLERY / JAN 3–AUG 6 FIGURAL REPRESENTATION IN ISLAMIC ART Does Islam forbidmaking 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. Organized by Selin Ünlüönen, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History in the field of Islamic art, architecture, andmaterial culture, with Kevin R. E. Greenwood, Joan L. Danforth Curator of Asian Art. Shirin Neshat (Iranian, b. 1957), Ghada, from the series Our House is on Fire, 2013. Digital pigment print. Gift of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, 2016.1.2. HIGHLIGHT / A TUESDAY TRADITION LOCAL ARTIST MADE TEACUPS Since 2012 the Allen’s Tuesday Teas have been enlivened by a set of 50 beautiful tea cups by local artist Mari Kuroda. Kuroda, who specializes in sculpture and functional pottery, created unique designs drawing inspiration from flowers, leaves, and Japanese patterns. Kuroda grew up in an artistic family andmoved to America alone in her early twenties. That journey “made me acutely aware of the value of family,” she says. “Each piece expresses my appreciation and love for them.” Her work also connects her to the natural world, particularly her signature pressed leaf designs. The Allen commission remains one of her favorites. “What’s more amazing,” she adds, “is that none of the cups have broken yet after 10 years!”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTczNTM=