A new exhibition by British artist Shahed Saleem has opened in London, presenting a series of textile works that document pivotal moments in the lives of British and European Muslims while examining the continent’s Islamic historical legacy and contemporary experiences of Islamophobia.
The exhibition, titled “I Was Born Here,” showcases Saleem’s tapestry-based works that span both historical and present-day realities faced by Muslim communities across Europe. The series combines vivid imagery with narrative elements to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the complex relationship between Muslim populations and European societies.
Saleem, whose architectural background informs her approach to documenting community spaces and social history, employs tapestries as a medium to bridge cultural traditions while creating contemporary works that speak to shared histories. The craft tradition carries deep roots in both European and Islamic artistic heritage, a connection the artist explicitly engages with throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition arrives amid ongoing debates about immigration, integration, and religious identity across European nations. Discussions around Muslim experiences in Europe remain contentious, with Islamophobia continuing to affect communities across the continent. The exhibition aims to provide visual documentation of moments that have shaped contemporary Muslim life, offering viewers insight into historical contexts often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Saleem’s work positions itself as both an artistic and educational endeavor, using tapestries to present historical documentation alongside contemporary experiences. The textile-based format may appeal to audiences beyond traditional fine art circles, potentially reaching viewers who engage more readily with craft-based works.
The timing of the exhibition comes as European art institutions increasingly seek to highlight diverse perspectives and integrate minority narratives into their programming. Exhibitions focusing specifically on Muslim experiences through textile arts remain relatively uncommon in major European galleries, making the London show a notable addition to the cultural landscape.
Analysis:
The exhibition reflects broader cultural efforts to incorporate underrepresented perspectives into European art institutions. By addressing both the historical Islamic presence in Europe and contemporary Muslim life, the show tackles themes that extend beyond aesthetics into social documentation.
How institutions frame and present such exhibitions can significantly influence public reception. The selection of tapestries as the medium carries deliberate symbolic weight, connecting European craft traditions with Islamic artistic heritage in a single visual language.
What to Watch Next
Observers will monitor public and critical response to the exhibition, particularly whether it attracts audiences beyond those already engaged with questions of Muslim identity in Europe. The response from mainstream cultural institutions to shows of this nature often signals broader shifts in how European galleries approach diversity in programming.
Visitors to the exhibition can expect to encounter works depicting specific historical moments alongside scenes of contemporary community life. The combination of documentary and artistic approaches distinguishes Saleem’s methodology from purely aesthetic textile art.
Background and Context
The historical presence of Muslims in Europe spans centuries, from medieval Al-Andalus in the Iberian Peninsula to Ottoman influence across Southeast Europe. However, contemporary art institutions have only recently begun engaging substantially with these histories and their continuing influence on present-day societies.
British Muslim communities have grown significantly since the mid-twentieth century, particularly following post-war immigration from South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. This demographic shift has prompted ongoing conversations about identity, integration, and belonging that remain contested in public discourse.
Islamic art traditions, including textile production, have influenced European craft practices for centuries through trade networks and cultural exchange. Contemporary artists like Saleem draw on these connections while addressing distinctly modern experiences.
The exhibition opens against a backdrop of renewed attention to religious identity and community relations across European nations. Recent years have seen both increased visibility of Muslim communities and heightened political debates about immigration and cultural integration.
Conclusion
“I Was Born Here” represents an effort to use artistic practice as a means of historical and social documentation. By presenting Muslim experiences through tapestries that engage both European and Islamic craft traditions, the exhibition offers a visual framework for understanding community histories that often receive limited attention in mainstream cultural institutions.
The show’s arrival in London places it within one of Europe’s most culturally diverse cities, where questions of identity and belonging carry particular resonance. Whether the exhibition succeeds in reaching audiences beyond its natural constituency remains to be seen, but its existence highlights ongoing efforts to expand the scope of what European art institutions consider worthy of documentation and display.
Sources
Al Jazeera News – https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/5/i-was-born-here-london-exhibition?traffic_source=rss
Source: Al Jazeera News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
