wall-hanging
- Museum number
- Af1998,03.2
- Description
-
Wall hanging (bandiera) made of indigo-dyed cotton (denim) decorated with discharged calligraphic patterns inspired by the form of Arabic letters. The sides are machine-hemmed; deep hems also at top and bottom. Numerous small holes at intervals along the two sides where the hanging has been attached to walls.
- Production date
- 1997
- Dimensions
-
Length: 632 centimetres
-
Width: 149 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Wall-hanging made by the Tunisian contemporary artist, Nja Mahdaoui, in 1997. One in a series of similar hangings which were used as backdrops for musical perfomances organised by Mahdaoui in Tunisia and featuring the percussion band, Joussour. This hanging was acquired by British Museum staff following a performance which took place at Tunis railway station in February 1997 to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Mahdaoui is one of Tunisia's leading contemporary artists who frequently uses 'calligrams' (stylised calligraphic forms derived from the shape of Arabic letters) in his work.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2012 March-July, Manarat Al Saaydiyat, Abu Dhabi, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2012 Nov-2013 March, Bonn, KAH, Treasures of the World's Cultures
- Condition
- Generally good. Numerous small holes along sides where previously attached to walls. Split at one edge near hem, locally repaired with machine-stitching.
- Associated events
- Associated Event: Performance by percussion band 'Joussour'
- Acquisition date
- 1998
- Acquisition notes
- This is one of three collections made by Ethnography Department staff as part of a fieldwork and contemporary collecting project in Tunisia (February - March 1998) sponsored by British Petroleum. For details of other collections see Af1998,01-02. This collection was purchased directly from the artist at his home/studio in La Marsa, Tunisia.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1998,03.2