JACKSONVILLE, FLA.- The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is presenting Ink, Silk, and Gold: Islamic Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on view May 19 through September 3, 2017. Ink, Silk, and Gold is an exhibition illuminating Islamic and Middle Eastern history, culture, religious beliefs, and their contributions to global society. Exceptional objects from the Islamic art collection belonging to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston make a final stop in Jacksonville before returning to their home institution.
The objects highlighted in this exhibition not only cover a wide variety of artistic traditions, they also span centuries and vast territories. Ranging from the 8th to the 21st century, the works originated in an Islamic world that spreads from Spain and Morocco in the West to India and Indonesia in the East, with recent works created in New York and other American cities. The splendor and richness of Islamic art comes alive through more than 50 objects produced in an astonishing array of media, including silver inlaid metalwork, gilded and enamel glass, manuscripts inscribed with gold, brocaded velvets, luster-painted ceramics, textiles woven with precious metals, and more.
Because of their diversity, the objects on display seem at first to have little in common with each other, yet they are all linked together by the religion of Islam. Works of art are the most tangible manifestations of Islamic culture. The exhibition, which is accompanied by a beautifully-illustrated catalogue, is arranged chronologically and regionally to introduce viewers to the rich world of Islamic art.
“In a modern museum setting, the challenge is to use our imagination to understand what these objects meant to those who originally made, wore, owned, or altered them,” states Chief Operating Officer & Chief Curator Holly Keris. “Many — although admired for their beauty and refinement of form — had a practical purpose.” This is because Islamic culture is much more than the religion of Islam. It encompasses a vast range of knowledge, traditions, social practices, and aesthetic conventions.
No matter the object and its function, the elaborate floral designs, sophisticated systems of weaving, and innovative applications of ink, colors, and gold all speak to the incredible craftsmanship and technical skills that characterize Islamic artworks.
Ink, Silk, and Gold is accompanied by a schedule of engaging programs, including a Distinguished Lecture examining medium and meaning in Islamic art by the curator of the exhibition and author of the exhibition catalogue Laura Weinstein, a calligraphy workshop, a Qawwali concert, and an Art of Cooking class featuring Turkish coffee and sweets.
