Event Information
21 March 2026
From 21 March 2026 to 4 October 2026
Leighton House
The Arab Hall: Past and Present
21 March - 4 October 2026
Leighton House presents the first major exploration of its extraordinary Arab Hall, one of London’s most iconic interiors, through a specially commissioned short film, three site-specific art installations and an exhibition and new publication containing extensive new research.
This collaborative and interdisciplinary project examines the space’s remarkable history and its continued relevance today. The exhibition forms a central part of the celebratory programme of 100 Years of Leighton House, which marks the museum’s anniversary as a public museum, under the governance of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The Arab Hall: ‘Something beautiful to look at once in a while’
Created by Victorian artist Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) following extensive travels across North Africa and the Middle East, the Arab Hall was conceived as a spectacular extension to his Kensington studio-house – a blend of Islamic, Mediterranean and Victorian craft traditions, the centre piece of which is the collection of antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey and Iran which line its walls. Since its completion in 1881, the Arab Hall has become an important place for discovery and debate, for contemplation and creativity that continues to resonate with visitors, researchers and creatives today.
The exhibition: What is on display
A short film by Soudade Kaadan
Award winning filmmaker Soudade Kaadan - Nezouh (2022), The Day I Lost My Shadow (2018)- presents her new short film, commissioned by Leighton House. When the Tiles Spoke weaves magical realism, dreamscape, and documentary into an immersive and emotional viewing experience. Through film, narration and animation, the magnificent tiles in the Arab Hall come alive, finding their own voice to recount their origins and their journey to Leighton House. Featuring the voices of Khalid Abdallah, Soad Fares and Leem Lubany.
On display in the Verey Exhibition Gallery at Leighton House.
Contemporary installations
Atlas of An Entangled Gaze, by multidisciplinary artist Ramzi Mallat explores the subtle power dynamics of the Arab Hall. Comprised of thousands of blue-glazed ceramic Syriac evil-eye charms and inspired by the form of Medieval Ottoman helmets, the work will create a ‘shielding canopy of watchful eyes’, prompting reflections on who is being looked at, who is being protected and how cultural symbols travel and transform across centuries.
From 21 March to 14 May, in the Arab Hall.
Facets in Resonance by artist Kamilah Ahmed is a mixed-media embroidered textile arch, placed over the fountain in the Arab Hall. Referencing traditional crafts and decorative arts, including Damascene tiles, Iznik patterns, stained glass, gold mosaics, divan marquetry inlay, and mashrabiya screens, the work honours the value of artisanal practices and cross-cultural exchange. Opening as part of the programme of London Craft Week.
From 15 May to 30 July, in the Arab Hall.
From Water, Every Living Thing by 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.
From 31 July to 4 October, in the Arab Hall.
Free display and new publication
A free exhibition in the Tavolozza Drawings Gallery traces the origins and creation of the Arab Hall, revealing the influences, collaborations, and craftsmanship behind this iconic space. Featuring original designs by architect George Aitchison, ceramicist William De Morgan and illustrator Walter Crane, alongside works by Leighton and ceramics from his collection, the exhibition offers visitors a window into the collaborative process that brought the Arab Hall to life.
The exhibition is informed by new research from Dr Melanie Gibson, presented in full in the accompanying illustrated book The Arab Hall, Frederic Leighton: Traveller and Collector. Gibson’s study charts Leighton’s travels across southern Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and Sicily, revealing how these journeys informed his engagement with Islamic art and the design of the Arab Hall. The book is on sale in the museum’s gift shop and online shop (from 21 March).
On display in the Tavolozza Drawings Gallery at Leighton House.
Plan your visit
The Arab Hall: Past and Present
From 21 March to 4 October 2026
The short film and the three site-specific installations are included within admission ticket. The exhibition in the Tavolozza Drawings Gallery is free to visit. The admission ticket includes access to the historic house.
Leighton House is open Wednesdays to Mondays, 10am – 5:30pm. Last entry 4:30pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
For exhibition-related events, please visit What’s on
Explore the exclusive Arab Hall shop range online or in the museum’s shop.
Acknowledgments
The Arab Hall: Past and Present is supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, the DCH Foundation, the museum's Exhibition Circle and The Friends of Leighton House. The promotion and outreach for the programming of 100 Years of Leighton House has been supported by the CORA Foundation.
Exhibition Public Programme Partner: Community Jameel.
