This summer, immerse yourself in a rich celebration of Islamic art and culture through Art Jameel’s groundbreaking exhibitions and initiatives across the UK and the Middle East–North Africa region. From the historic treasures of London’s Jameel Gallery to cutting-edge contemporary works showcased in Scotland and Bradford, alongside powerful climate-driven projects in Tunisia, this vibrant cultural journey invites luxury audiences to explore heritage, creativity, and social impact through a distinctly modern lens.
Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or new to the scene, these thoughtfully curated experiences offer a rare opportunity to engage with stories of resilience, identity, and innovation that resonate globally.
Discover Islamic Art at London’s Jameel Gallery
Located within the iconic V&A South Kensington, the Jameel Gallery hosts one of the world’s most extensive collections of Islamic art. Visitors can admire nearly 400 exquisite objects from the Middle East and North Africa, spanning from the 8th century to the present day. This summer, the gallery’s themes of memory and place come alive through Palestinian artist Jumana Emil Abboud’s Water Diviners workshops. Rooted in her research into Palestinian springs and wells, the workshops culminate in collective storytelling performances, offering an immersive exploration of water’s symbolism.
The gallery also commemorates five years since the Beirut port explosion with a poignant exhibition featuring Lebanese artist Ramzi Mallat and the design collective 200grs, highlighting resilience and remembrance. Additionally, the special display Tatreez: Palestinian Embroidery showcases a compelling blend of historic dresses and contemporary embroidered works by artists Aya Haidar and Zeid Hijazi, on view through May 2026.
Thread Memory: Palestinian Embroidery Travels to V&A Dundee
Originally commissioned for Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine has found a new home at V&A Dundee. The exhibition celebrates over 30 historic Palestinian dresses, jewellery, headdresses, archives, and contemporary art drawn from the Palestinian Museum and the V&A’s collections. Commemorating 45 years of Dundee’s twin city relationship with Nablus, Palestine, the display also incorporates works by contemporary artists Faissal El-Malak, Aya Haidar, and Zeid Hijazi.
Notably, the bilingual Arabic–English graphic and exhibition design reflects a unique cultural collaboration, marking a significant moment for Arabic language representation in UK exhibitions. This evocative display remains open through spring 2026.
Moving Images Spotlight at Bradford’s Cartwright Hall
Bradford’s Cartwright Hall Art Gallery hosts the first UK stop of the Jameel Prize: Moving Images exhibition until 17 August, as part of Bradford’s lead-up to UK City of Culture 2025. This prestigious prize celebrates contemporary art inspired by Islamic tradition, now focusing on moving image and digital media.
The exhibition features seven visionary artists from the Middle East and South Asia, whose works span film, animation, sound, sculpture, and virtual reality. Highlights include Khandakar Ohida’s award-winning installation Dream Your Museum (2022) and thought-provoking pieces by Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, Jawa El Khash, and others. Following Bradford, the exhibition will tour to Hayy Jameel, Jeddah, this autumn.
Curatorial Innovation: New Voices from the Red Sea Region
Art Jameel continues to nurture fresh perspectives through its Curatorial Open Call. The 2025 winners, Huda Tayob and Miriam Hillawi Abraham, were selected for their compelling proposal Red Wind, Coral Worlds, exploring talismanic spaces and histories across the Red Sea.
Their exhibition, set to open at Hayy Jameel in spring 2026, promises an insightful fusion of cultural narratives and ecological themes. Shortlisted finalists such as Hafsa Alkhudairi and Ana-Sophia Salazar with Amina Diab also underscore the bold curatorial talent shaping this global art platform.
Creative Climate Action in Tunisia
In partnership with the British Council, Art Jameel’s Anhar: Culture and Climate Platform supports pioneering climate-focused art projects in the MENA region, with a spotlight on Tunisia.
Multidisciplinary artist Wissem El-Abed’s Island Gauze Station uses local shipwrecks to evoke resilience amid rising sea levels. Saif Fradj’s Autumn of the Earth tackles industrial pollution’s environmental impact in Gabès through his forthcoming exhibition, while the collective Broudou explores food sustainability via ecological and feminist frameworks. These projects embody urgent, community-rooted responses to the climate emergency.
A Journey of Heritage, Creativity, and Impact
Together, these vibrant exhibitions and initiatives reflect Art Jameel’s holistic mission: to preserve Islamic art heritage, amplify contemporary voices, and inspire meaningful change through creativity. From the UK’s major cultural hubs to Tunisia’s coastal communities, this season invites you to experience the intersection of tradition, innovation, and social engagement in the luxury art world.
