The exhibition, ‘Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran’ is now open for public viewing at the Sheikh Saoud Gallery at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) until 20 April 2024. The exhibition highlights the significance of silk in the vibrant social, economic and artistic life of the Safavid Empire (1501-1736).
‘Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran’ was first conceived and presented at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC and shown as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
Planned under the direction of MIA curator Dr Nicoletta Fazio, the exhibition expands on the original concept, as conceived and organised in Washington, DC.
Four parts and a complimentary podcast
Powerful intermediaries for new artistic ideas that stimulated a new visual language such as textiles, were among the most desirable luxury commodities traded across the globe at the time. The exhibition is further enriched by a set of four full-length portraits which provide a glimpse into the diverse population and the opulence that characterised the Safavid imperial capital of Isfahan.
The exhibition begins with a presentation of the geographical and historical setting in which the Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas I, established the silk monopoly and state-funded textile industry.
The second part focuses on Isfahan, the capital at the time, and the empire’s main marketplace. The third part explores the art and practices of self-representation in Safavid society through fashion, pairing historical textiles with contemporary paintings and written sources. The fourth and final section, Fashion Forward, bridges the past with the present, displaying a selection of specially commissioned pieces, garments and handbags created by Qatar-based designers inspired by Safavid textiles and paintings from the MIA’s permanent collection.
Complimenting the exhibition, MIA launched for the first time, a narrative podcast series comprising six episodes that reveal the story of the Safavid dynasty’s splendour and its silk production through several highlight pieces from the exhibit.
The six podcast episodes will match the order of how its corresponding star objects appear in the exhibition space, shedding further light on the fashion of Safavid Iran and its elegance through tales of textiles, this magnificent golden age, and its continued impact on today’s creative practices.
Over 100 works on view
According to MIA Director Dr Julia Gonnella, they are proud to present the exhibition and the extraordinary textiles from its collection. She said that more than 100 works will be on view, drawn from MIA and Qatar Museums’ permanent collections as well as loans from the Qatar National Library, including a wide selection of artefacts, amongst them 20 precious brocade silk textiles and 12 carpets from the Safavid period.
Dr Gonnella said that through the presentation of the collection, they hope to deepen the understanding and appreciation for Islamic art and demonstrate the vast diversity of Islamic culture across the world.
The exhibition includes a final section that embraces contemporary fashion designs, with five Qatar-based designers showcasing their bespoke designs inspired by objects displayed in the exhibition:
- Yasmin Mansour’s large kaftan and rug
- Arman Mansouri’s two unisex blazers
- Jawaher Al Darwish’s seven hand-carved clutches and scarf
- Noor Al Thani’s impressive abaya
- Roni Helou’s vegan, eco-printed dress
The five designers were selected in collaboration with M7, supported by MIA curator Dr Tara Desjardins.
‘Welcome to Isfahan’ book display
Starting this week until 30 January 2024, visitors can also delve into the treasures of Isfahan through the captivating Welcome to Isfahan rare book display on view at the MIA Library.
This collection provides an extensive guide to Isfahan during the Safavid Empire and will allow visitors to discover Iran’s long and distinguished history and culture, and to explore renowned architectural marvels, artistic masterpieces, delectable cuisine, groundbreaking scientific advancements, and an intriguing European perspective on the city’s distinctive style.
An exquisite collection of products inspired by artworks featured in the exhibition will also be available at the MIA Gift Shop and online, comprising a diverse array of offerings from cushions to coasters, and stylish trays to artfully crafted keychains, magnets and notebooks.
The ‘Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran’ exhibition also comes with an exhibition album, a forthcoming publication edited by Nicoletta Fazio that presents the original research by the MIA team and international scholars.
The opening of the exhibition is supported by Audi.
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