Magic Squares: The Patterned Imagination of Muslim Africa in Contemporary Culture

Alia Toor, 99 Names of Aman, 2004. Dust masks with cotton embroidered by the artist

May 18  – November  20, 2011
TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA
55 Centre Avenue
Toronto, ON, M5G 2H5
T: 416.599.5321 x. 2239
E: alopes@textilemuseum.ca
www.textilemuseum.ca
Hours: daily 11-5, Wed 11-8

Artists: Jamelie Hassan, Hamid Kachmar, Alia Toor and Tim Whiten

 
Curated by Patricia Bentley

Four contemporary artists explore the relationship of patterns, communication and spirit in conversation with textiles and symbols from the Museum’s permanent collection of Islamic African artifacts. Magic squares, known all over the world as mathematical games like Sudoku and Kenken, become carriers of powerful and diverse cultural meanings when they are painted, woven or embroidered on textiles in Muslim Africa.

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