Treasures of the Tentmakers

Description

Treasures of the Tentmakers

"Treasures of the Tentmakers: Discovering Egyptian Khayamiya" was an invited guest lecture on behalf of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (CAIS) at the Australian National University, on Friday 18 October 2013. This illustrated lecture was professionally filmed for inclusion on the DVD of the independent feature-length documentary "The Tentmakers of Chareh el-Khiamiah".Description: This guest lecture investigated the reasons why international audiences regard Khayamiya (Egyptian Tentmaker Applique) with a level of intense interest that is not matched by their Egyptian counterparts. By situating my research into the history and ongoing developments influencing this vibrant textile art form, I presented a case by which Khayamiya can be re-assessed by international curators, collectors, Islamic Art scholars and members of the public, in order to secure a sustainable future for this endangered skilled profession and the living cultural heritage associated with it.
Research Background
My postdoctoral examination of the history and context of Egyptian Khayamiya is a multi-faceted project of sequential peer-reviewed publications and lectures, ultimately culminating as a book (Khayamiya: Art of the Egyptian Tentmakers) and an internationally touring exhibition (Khayamiya: Khedival to Contemporary). It is rare for an Australian academic to pursue primary research in issues pertaining to Islamic Art, so my publications are targeted towards an international audience most capable of sustaining this endangered art form.

Period	18 Oct 2013
Event type	Other