Whilst the conference set the premise that Muslims are producing art, not enough is getting through to the mainstream. The opportunity to explore how this could change gave hope to many artists who have spent their careers facing one closed door after another. A decade ago the Arts Council was the main funder of the Arts in the United Kingdom. Now funding bodies such as the Aziz Foundation and Amal are creating greater opportunities for Muslim artists to find financial backing to develop projects. And in the current climate, this movement to create a more positive image of Islam is much needed. “Our history and heritage haven't been allowed to be passed down. Our culture and arts have been disorientated and placed mainly under ‘Asian Arts' - classical dance, bhangra and Bollywood or Middle Eastern arts where the spirituality and religion are stripped away and the politics are played. We need to create a new narrative.”- Mobeen Butt Mobeen believes that art and culture provide a means of communication, an alternative platform to share stories, celebrate contributions to society and challenge misconceptions and stereotypes. With a rising generation of young British Muslims using artistic forms such as music, film, literature, photography, poetry and comedy to express themselves, there is hope for the future. As well as celebrating the diversity of British Muslim identity, these artists and cultural producers explore difficult issues and help bridge divides between communities. This new possibility creates exciting opportunities but also uneasy tensions as to where this expression can fit into the traditional canons of western visual art and popular culture in Britain.
Where are we now? While we need to come together and focus on ways to share and develop our cultural heritage, we also need to demand our rights for creative spaces, resources, funding, access, as well as develop the skills necessary to professionally execute this dream. What Mobeen hopes for next is action. That the 120+ people in attendance feel less isolated and are affirmed in the belief that they can pursue a career in the arts beyond the boundaries they may have experienced in the past. What is also important is that they reach out to one another
forming collaborations which develop them as individuals and the Arts as a whole. This, he feels, will be a catalyst for something bigger, more structured and better formulated. And perhaps by 2026, we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World of Islam Festival with British Muslim artists and cultural producers at the helm. The Place to Be
The Muslim Museum Initiative The Muslim Museum Initiative is an online resource which explores the 1400-year relationship between Britain and Islam and celebrates the arts, culture and heritage of Muslims in Britain. The initiative works with heritage, arts, culture and educational institutions to help individuals explore, engage and feel inspired by a shared past, present and future. It also provides expertise to organisations wanting to engage Muslim communities and explore elements of Islamic culture and Muslim heritage in Britain. For more information visit www.muslimmuseum.org.uk Heritage
The World ofIslam Festival Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, this event presented 6,000 objet d’art from 32 Muslim nations and 162 seminars by scholars and academics over six weeks. Most of the major cultural institutions in the UK were involved including the BBC, British Museum, V&A, Science Museum and the then Commonwealth Institute.
.
For more information visit www.everdaymuslim.org Moriam Grillo is an international
award winning artist.She holds Batchelor degrees in photography & film and Ceramics and is currently studying for a masters in Art Therapy. Moriam is also founder of the Butterfly Project.
October 2017
9