In recent years, the parameters of Islamic art have expanded to include contemporary works by artists from or with roots in the Middle East. Drawing inspiration from their own cultural traditions, these artists use techniques and incorporate imagery and ideas from earlier periods.

Ten years ago, LACMA began to acquire such work within the context of its holdings of Islamic art, understanding that the ultimate success and relevance of this collection lie in building creative links between the past, present, and future. Islamic Art Now, a two-part exhibition, marks the first major installations of LACMA’s collection of contemporary art of the Middle East.

As the second of a two-part program, this exhibition features approximately 31 works by artists from Iran, the Arab world, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Northwest Africa, including Shoja Azari, Lulwah Al Homoud, Burhan Doǧançay, Fereydoun Ave, Sherin Guirguis, Newsha Tavakolian, Shadi Ghadirian, Hassan Hajjaj, Ahmed Mater, and Faig Ahmed, among others.