The Ismaili Centre, in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, presents Seeing Through Babel, a solo exhibition by the Syrian-Armenian artist Kevork Mourad.
In the Old Testament story of Babel, mankind is punished for attempting to construct a tower to heaven, an act of hubris that led God to create multiple languages so as to prevent such collusions happening again. For this exhibition, Mourad explores the story of Babel, using visual imagery as a means to connect people across the language divide.
The work, which uses the artist’s trademark techniques – monotypes and drawing onto the surface of the work – is designed to allow visitors to walk in and around it, allowing closer consideration of its themes.
Observes Kevork: ‘I have often thought of this story, as it is said to be a moment that divided mankind. I see it as a moment when diversity was created.’ Describing his work, he points to how, through visual language, ‘it can connect people who speak different languages and come from different cultural backgrounds. Where Babel separated, visual art connects.’
Says Henry S. Kim, the Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum: ‘We are very pleased to be able to present an exhibition in London for the very first time and even more so that it is Kevork’s premiere in the city. He is an extraordinary artist who has developed a unique technique to tell stories visually.’
The exhibition will be installed in The Ismaili Centre’s Zamana Space, which reopens to the public with this exhibition. Liakat Hasham, President of the Shia Imami Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom, says: ‘The reopening of the Zamana Space after such a long hiatus is an important moment, as it offers the opportunity for The Ismaili Centre to contribute to the thriving arts corridor of Exhibition Road.’
| Duration | 01 July 2019 - 15 August 2019 |
| Times | Monday to Friday from 11am-6pm |
| Cost | Free |
| Venue | The Ismaili Centre |
| Address | 1 Cromwell Gardens Cromwell Gardens Entrance South Kensington. London SW7 2SL, , |
| Contact | + 44 (0) 20 72 78 30 29 / carla@albanyartscommunications.com / https://the.ismaili/microsite/london |