“Contemporary Art, Islamic Tradition” by Katie Boucher
The National
A new international award for contemporary artists and designers inspired by Islamic traditions, and hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, has been awarded to the Iranian-born artist Afruz Amighi. She earned the Jameel Art Prize for her work 1001 Pages (2008), a series of pieces in which she uses light and shadow to create intricate patterns. Funded by the Saudi businessman Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, who also provided financial support for the renovation of the V&A's Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art, the prize aims to draw attention to the increasingly dynamic dialogue between contemporary practice and the rich Islamic heritage. The prize is awarded every two years.