Carpet Pages II: Roots

The beauty of Islamic and Medieval European manuscripts will be celebrated at an art exhibition at The Art Pavilion next month.

Such manuscripts were known as Carpet Pages after the intricate rug-like patterns that adorned their pages.

The Mile End gallery will host work by the next generation of artistic talent from all over the world as 23 graduates of The Prince’s Foundation’s MA Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts programme will exhibit their interpretations of these exquisitely-detailed and highly-ornamented patterns.

Carpet Pages II: Roots is curated by Vaishali Prazmari, a graduate of The Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts and Slade School of Fine Art, whose graduates will also exhibit work at the event.

“Carpets are visual feasts for the eye and this second iteration in the Carpet Pages cycle promises the same,” said Vaishali, 33, from London. “The talented artists in this exhibition are all adept in their chosen medium and their exciting work ranges from paintings to textiles, geometry to figuration, giant sculptural pieces to tiny miniatures and traditional to contemporary art.

“What makes this exhibition unusual is that it pits together cutting edge contemporary artists with traditional artist-craftspeople to make a ‘carpet landscape’ of ancient techniques that are increasingly inspiring contemporary art. Visitors will see exquisite miniature painting alongside large scale sculptures, all referencing similar patterns and motifs. Traditional painting is a slow process and the quality of line work and patience as evidenced in the brushstrokes is particularly high.”
This exhibition focuses on the theme of roots, including the physical structure of plant roots, the natural pigments and dyes made from roots used in carpet weaving, the metaphorical nature of ancestral roots, roots that link to a homeland, and feeling rooted in the earth or in a place, space or time.

“Roots can be the basic cause, origin or source of something,” said Vaishali. “They can be its seed, germ or beginning, and they can be its heart, foundation or essence.”

The Prince's Foundation was formed in April 2018 as a result of the consolidation of The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts. The charity focuses on promoting the built environment, heritage, culture and education projects primarily across the UK while helping people engage in learning experiences that promote confidence and personal development.