Artist Shahed Saleem's 'I Was Born Here' exhibition uses massive tapestries to bridge the gap between historical Islamic heritage and modern Islamophobia.
- Artist Shahed Saleem created three massive tapestries exploring migration and belonging.
- The exhibit links London's Muslim communities to Europe's deep Islamic roots.
- Works highlight the 'Hostile Environment' policy and historical religious persecution.
Beneath a 536-year-old Islamic-inspired Spanish ceiling in East London, a profound narrative of identity and struggle unfolds. Artist, architect, and academic Shahed Saleem has unveiled his latest collection, 'I Was Born Here', a series of three enormous tapestries that weave together the stories of migration, belonging, and the complex history of Islam in Europe.
The exhibition serves as a poignant response to the rising tide of xenophobia and racial politics in the UK. Saleem's work juxtaposes the beauty of Islamic geometric art—specifically the Alhambra patterns from medieval Spain—with the harsh, intimidating language of the British Home Office’s 2013 'Hostile Environment' policy. This striking contrast highlights the tension between cultural appreciation and systemic exclusion.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that art often serves as the most potent medium for documenting social shifts that political discourse fails to capture. By placing historical trauma alongside contemporary struggle, Saleem forces the viewer to confront the continuity of prejudice, from the Spanish Inquisition to modern-day anti-immigrant sentiment.
"Christian Europe has often admired the artistic achievements of Islamic civilization while simultaneously marginalizing the people who created it," says historian Tharik Hussain.
The collection pays homage to victims of racial violence, including a portrait of Altab Ali, a young Bangladeshi man murdered in 1978. Furthermore, it touches upon the darker chapters of history, such as the 1492 colonization era and the Spanish Inquisition, which forced hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Jews into exile or forced conversion.
In a display of modern multiculturalism, Saleem also depicts the bustling energy of London’s Queen’s Market in Newham. This segment of the exhibition celebrates the vibrancy of immigrant communities who contribute significantly to the labor, creativity, and social fabric of modern Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the central theme of Shahed Saleem's exhibition?
The central theme is the intersection of migration, Islamic history in Europe, and the modern challenges of Islamophobia and xenophobia.
2. How does the art represent political policies?
The artist weaves verbatim quotes from government signage used in 'Hostile Environment' policies directly into the fabric of the tapestries.
