Portrait of a Sacred Beauty: Traditional Islamic Arts Exhibition
June 24 - July 8
Portrait of a Sacred Beauty
Traditional Islamic Arts Exhibition
In 2026, the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), according to the Hijri calendar, will be commemorated worldwide as a significant occasion for reflection on his enduring spiritual and cultural legacy. Marking this milestone, Yunus Emre Institute in London presents Portrait of a Sacred Beauty, a special exhibition celebrating the rich heritage of traditional Turkish-Islamic arts.
Held from 24 June to 8 July 2026, the exhibition brings together works of calligraphy (hat), illumination (tezhip), marbling (ebru), miniature painting, and İznik ceramics. Through these artistic traditions, the exhibition explores themes of devotion, beauty, spirituality, and cultural memory, highlighting the aesthetic and intellectual legacy of Islamic art.
Curated by Nagihan Seymour, the exhibition features artists from the United Kingdom and Türkiye whose practices reflect both contemporary and traditional approaches to Islamic art. Participating artists include Ahmet Sacit Açıkgözoğlu, Demet Tokbay, Dilara Karaağaç, Esma Ceylan, Gülcan Acar Başkan, Hanifi Dursun, Mustafa Cemil Efe, Nagihan Seymour, Naoki Yamamoto, Razwan Baig, Rizwan Khan, Safoh Al Mustafa, Sema Yurtseven, Sevim Çakır, Shanzay Baig, and Shazain Baig.
Taking place within London’s vibrant multicultural arts landscape, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to discover the enduring relevance of traditional Islamic arts while encouraging intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Visiting Information
Exhibition Dates: 24 June – 8 July 2026
Opening Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00–18:00
Venue: Yunus Emre Institute in London, 10 Maple Street, London W1T 5HA
Admission is free and all are welcome.
Special Public Programme
30 June 2026 | 18:30 | Ney Recital & Talk
Visitors are invited to attend a special Ney recital by Eray Cinpir, followed by an Artist Talk with Shazain Baig, Dilara Karaağaç, and Nagihan Seymour. This programme offers a unique opportunity to engage more deeply with the artistic processes, inspirations, and spiritual themes explored throughout the exhibition.
Admission to the special programme is free; however, advance registration is required due to limited capacity.
To register, please click here:
Exhibition Catalogue
The exhibition catalogue, featuring selected works and further information about the artists and exhibition themes, can be accessed below.
Click here to view the exhibition catalogue:
