In this illustrated talk, Art Historian Abdul Karim Crites discusses his work over the last fifty years on mosques around the [...]

26 October | 7 - 8pm
The Atrium, Building 4, Dubai Design District (d3)

In thisillustrated talk, Art Historian Abdul Karim Crites discusses his work over the last fifty years on mosques around the world; Masjid al-Haram, Makkah Sharif, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, and Federal Territory Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, and the impact these buildings have on the revival of the endangered art and craft traditions. Crites, who has worked with more than 2000 master inlay artisans and carvers to create ornamental and calligraphic panels for his mosque projects, highlights the crucial role these gifted artisans can play in contemporary architectural projects across the Islamic world and beyond.

About Abdul Karim Crites

Abdul Karim Crites is an American art historian who has lived and worked in India and across the Islamic world for more than forty years. His primary focus has been the revival of traditional Indian and Islamic arts and crafts.

Over the years, he has participated in a number of prestigious architectural projects ranging from Mexico to Malaysia which have given work to more than seven thousand master artists, carvers, inlay artisans and calligraphers. His projects include the ornamentation and calligraphy for the Federal Territory Mosque of Kuala Lumpur, the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi and the movable minbar and calligraphy for the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah Sharif.

He recently collaborated with Bethan Gray, British Designer of the Year 2013, to create furniture and accessories which draw their inspiration from classical Islamic art and architecture titled The Ruby Tree Collection.