Exhibition drawing on Islamic heritage kicks off in Singapore

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Sunday 11 Oct 2015 - 11:40 Makkah mean time-28-12-1436 Viewing a dress made by Turkish fashion label Dice Kayek at the Jameel Prize 3 exhibition (from left) Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim. Image from AsiaOne Singapore, (IINA) - Singapore's Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim opened the Jameel Prize 3 exhibition, which is an international award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition, at the National Library here on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after opening the event, he said that exhibitions like this can help members of the public better understand Islamic traditions and their contributions to the world, according to AsiaOne news agency. Such art shows, he said, are an opportunity for young artists from various backgrounds to draw on Islamic tradition and culture to create contemporary pieces of art. "I welcome this exhibition as a way we can break down that barrier, that lack of understanding, for us to appreciate that the rich history of Islam can be brought forward into the modern world by young minds of different backgrounds," he said. For his part, Professor Alan Chan, dean of Nanyang Technological University's College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, said Islam has a rich heritage that is not well understood, and hoped the exhibition would generate a better understanding and appreciation of the religion. The past achievements of the Islamic world in art, craft and design are reflected in the work of many contemporary practitioners in these fields. The aims of the Prize are to raise awareness of this new work and to explore it as part of a wider debate about Islamic culture and its role today. The show features works by 10 artists and designers shortlisted for the Jameel Prize in 2013. The international art prize, worth £25,000 (S$53,900), is awarded every two year, and was launched in 2009 by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, in partnership with Art Jameel, an initiative of the Dubai-based Abdul Latif Jameel international business group. The exhibition is organized by NTU's School of Art, Design and Media, with sponsorship from the S.M. Jaleel Foundation. SM/IINA