Art Exhibition

Expansion

Expansion from the manuscripts of the past to the present

‘Expansion’ is an international art exhibition that celebrates the creative journey from the aesthetics of historical manuscripts to contemporary art expressions. The exhibition features more than 100 diverse artworks. It brings together an elite group of participants from around the world to embody the living dialogue between the past and the present through the arts of calligraphy, decoration and visual arts associated with manuscripts.

The exhibition is divided into two main sections:

• Section One explores the history of manuscripts and book-making, from paper and calligraphy to gilding and ornamentation. It features three rare original Qur’anic manuscripts: an Abbasid folio in Kufic script (10th century), a luxurious Kashmiri Qur’an (19th century), and a Qajar Qur’an with stunning illumination (19th century).

• Section Two opens a space for contemporary art, featuring more than 100 works by artists and calligraphers from the UAE and around the world. This reflects how the present draws inspiration from the spirit of historical manuscripts to create new works that are full of life.

Many prestigious academic and cultural institutions are participating in the exhibition, such as Fatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf University, Dokuz Eylül University, the Lebanese American University, and the Japan Association for Arabic Calligraphy, reflecting the scholarly and research dimension alongside the artistic one.

The exhibition represents multiple countries, including: the United Arab Emirates,Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Turkey, Japan, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Jordan—thus creating a cross-border space that highlights cultural and artistic diversity. The exhibition also dedicates a special space to Emirati artists and local calligraphers, promoting national presence within a global context. To enhance national presence within the global context.

‘Expansion’ is not just a display of artwork, but a visual and conversational space that connects history with innovation, reflecting continuity between generations and cultures. It highlights how historical manuscript art can inspire and reshape the present in contemporary contexts.

Exhibition Dates: October 17 – November 30, 2025

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM 

Visitors are also welcome to visit the School after the exhibition. School visiting hours: Sunday–Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Individuals and families are welcome; no prior booking is required

We would like to request that art centres and school tour operators contact us in advance to book, so that we can prepare additional activities to enrich the school visit.