Discover the extraordinary work of three contemporary ceramic artists, transforming the interiors of Leighton House for one week only as we join London Craft Week, a city-wide festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship and creativity. Rabya Alfadl, Nibras Alsalman and Dahouk Chamsi-Pasha have selected and created a series of works which complement and enhance spaces including the Arab Hall, dining room and the studio, curating a unique and unforgettable juxtaposition of historic and contemporary art.

Enjoy the chance to meet the artists and explore their work in situ after hours at Leighton House, with a paid bar available throughout the evening.

In partnership with The Barakat Trust as part of London Craft Week.

The installations

Rabya Alfadl

Leighton's collections of ceramics and tiles in the Arab Hall and in the dining room celebrate the artistic cultural heritage of North Africa, The Middle East and Iran. Leighton collected and purchased ceramics during his travels to Syria, Turkey, Greece and Egypt and transported them to the UK by sea. Using the mode of transport as a springboard, this body of work suggests multiple messages: the cultural exchange that transcends political conflict, the fascination of the West with artistic works from the Islamic world, which later influenced the Victorian Arts and Crafts Movement, and finally concepts of innovation, beauty, and purpose.

Nibras Al-Salman

Inspired by a series of bare gnarled soaring trees on the approach towards Leighton House, representation of the trees are combined with a reference to the table next to the fountain in the Arab Hall. Responding to the spectacular range of tiles which adorn the interiors, rather than to follow the designs actually seen in its different spaces, this body of work mirrors the feeling evoked by the house.

Dahouk Chamsi-Pasha

What if we reverse the role of Mashrabia and explore the dichotomy and the delicate balance between the hidden and the transparent, privacy and openness, encapsulated in the traditional design elements of the Mashrabia? Drawing inspiration from the rich cultural history of the Arab world and the architectural beauty of Leighton House's Arab Hall, the piece breaks down barriers between people as it signals that there is nothing to hide; boundaries become negotiable and adaptable.

Meet the Artists

Rabya Alfadl is a ceramicist who uses the medium to explore nostalgia and memories. To her, making is a meditative process through which she investigate the themes of loss, transformation, and growth, unearthing and settling the emerging narratives. Her work is inspired by her upbringing and journeys across the Middle East, exploring architectural ruins, material culture and oral histories. She works in multiple hand building techniques, often adding organic materials within the making process. Rabya works intuitively to reflect a sense of place, striving for balance between form and surface treatment.

Nibras Al-Salman works in ceramic and glass, with a special interest in exploring decay and destruction, particularly in reference to buildings. His work is inspired by his native Iraq, as well as his engineering training, with patterns and geometry often emerging to create a rhythm that provides movement and unity. The artist finds beauty in decayed structures, and describes his work as austere, with a reduction in decoration and ornament.

Dahouk Chamsi-Pasha is a ceramicist who explores multi-media approaches in her work, particularly cross stitching. Her work serves as both a personal tribute to her homeland, Syria, and a meditation on heritage, culture and ongoing events and issues from around the world. In this piece, she explores the cultural significance of space, light, and privacy—ideas that are as relevant today as they have been throughout history.