Created by Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) as an extension to his London studio-house following extensive travels across North Africa and the Middle East, the Arab Hall is a unique blend of Islamic, Mediterranean, and Victorian craft traditions, lined with antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey, and Iran. From 21st March 2026, The Arab Hall: Past and Present offers visitors an opportunity to explore the room’s history and reflect on its relevance today.
As part of the programme, the museum has commissioned award-winning filmmaker Soudade Kaadan to create a new short film, When the Tiles Spoke, which brings the hall’s tiles to life through video and animation. A blend of observation, magical realism, and dreamscape, the film takes viewers on an immersive journey through the Arab Hall, giving the tiles voice to tell their own story for the first time.
Three consecutive site-specific contemporary art commissions offer new perspectives on the Arab Hall, each engaging with its architecture, materials and layered histories. The first one, Atlas of An Entangled Gaze, by London-based Lebanese artist Ramzi Mallat, was unveiled in March and features thousands of blue-glazed Syriac evil-eye charms that appear to be suspended over the hall’s fountain, forming a “shielding canopy of watchful eyes” inspired by Medieval Ottoman helmets. Commissions by Kamilah Ahmed (15 May – 31 Jul) and Soraya Syed (31 Jul – 4 Oct) will follow, engaging directly with the Hall’s design and exploring themes including the value of artisanal and Islamic craft traditions, voice and representation.
Flint Culture’s support follows the agency’s successful communications campaign for Leighton House’s reopening in 2022. Media coverage secured to date includes broadcast features and interviews on BBC London, ITV London, and BBC Radio London (Robert Elms), alongside print and online coverage across national and international titles including The Times, The Guardian, BBC News online, Country Life, Harper’s Bazaar, The National (UAE), AD Middle East, Time Out, Cabana, and Londonist.
