The Arab Hall: After-Hours

About the evening

Experience the historic house after dark and be amongst the first to see the new contemporary artist installations in the Arab Hall, as part of the multidisciplinary project The Arab Hall: Past and Present. 

Friday 15 May, 5:30-8:30pm: Facets in Resonance by Kamilah Ahmed.

British Bangladeshi artist Kamilah Ahmed presents Facets in Resonance, a mixed-media embroidered textile arch, which will frame the Arab Hall. Referencing traditional Islamic crafts and decorative arts, including Damascene tiles, Iznik patterns, stained glass, gold mosaics, divan marquetry inlay, and mashrabiya screens, the work honours the legacy of the Arab Hall as a physical reflection of the value of artisanal practices and cross-cultural exchange. 

Meet the artist and take part in 'Who Gets to Craft?’, a Long Table discussion led by Hekayyatna - join or listen in to an interactive and free-flowing conversation unpacking and exploring the accessibility, developments, exclusivity, art and future of craft. Join us after-hours for an opportunity to meet Kamilah, who will attend in person.

Thursday 31 July, 5:30-8:30pm: From Water, Every Living Thing by Soraya Syed

Calligrapher and artist Soraya Syed, takes the fountain as its conceptual and architectural point of origin. A film of animated gold calligraphy will be projected directly onto the fountain’s black marble basin, where letters appear to float, fragment, and reform in dialogue with the water’s movement and sound, as a sequence of goldfish gradually transforms into script. Join us after-hours for an opportunity to meet Soraya, who will attend in person.

Booking information

• Book a Leighton House admission ticket for the date of the event (15 May & 31 July) to join our after-hours evening. 
• Tickets include access to the historic house, exhibition and garden.
• 50% Discount: Have you already visited The Arab Hall: Past and Present? Get 50% off tickets for after-hours events - find the discount codes in the free exhibition guide provided at Welcome Desk when you visited or in your confirmation email (if you booked tickets online). Redeem your discount at check out or claim it in person upon arrival.
• Enjoy a paid bar, open throughout the evening.

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