Inspired by the East: how the Islamic world influenced Western art | British Museum
Oil on canvas portrait of Sultan Bayezid I

Past exhibition

Inspired by the east
how the Islamic world influenced western art

Exhibition / –

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Past exhibition

10 October 2019 – 26 January 2020

Organised with the
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

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For the catalogue, homewares and gifts from the exhibition, visit the British Museum Shop.

Charting the fascinating history of cultural and artistic interactions between East and West, this exhibition explored the impact of the Islamic world on Western art for centuries.

Artistic exchange between East and West has a long and intertwined history, and the exhibition picked these stories up from the 15th century, following cultural interactions that can still be felt today. Objects from Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa highlighted a centuries-old tradition of influence and exchange from East to West. The diverse selection of objects included ceramics, photography, glass, jewellery and clothing, as well as contemporary art, showcasing how artistic exchange influenced a variety of visual and decorative arts. 

Conceived and developed in collaboration with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Inspired by the East: how the Islamic world influenced Western art included generous loans from their extensive collection of Islamic and Orientalist art. It will go on display at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, from 20 June to 20 October 2020.

Exhibition highlights

Trailer for Inspired by the East: how the Islamic world influenced Western art 

From our blog

  • glorious…an exhibition of dreams

    The Guardian

  • fascinating

    Londonist

Exhibition supporters

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Standard Chartered Bank is a leading international banking group, with a presence in 60 of the world's most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

We were extremely proud to sponsor the exhibition Inspired by the East: how the Islamic world influenced Western art. As one of the world's leading museums, the British Museum is a popular attraction with a diverse and international audience and a collection that is representative of most areas of the world. We believe it's our diversity that sets us apart – of our people, cultures and networks – which aligns with the British Museum's globally inclusive offering.

The exhibition also brought together the British Museum and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), with whom we have a longstanding relationship as sponsors of the Ottoman Room.

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