SOAS Gallery

SOAS Gallery As part of SOAS a gallery and museum dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the art, cultu

The SOAS Gallery as part of SOAS for over 25 years has displayed exhibitions that reflect the many diverse subjects and regions studied by the School being dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the art, culture, history and contemporary contexts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East to a new and wider audience through its programme of changing exhibitions and use of the Schools Collection

s. The inaugural exhibition was held at the Galleries in May 1996 Empire of the Sultans, an exhibition of Ottoman art from the collection of Dr. Nasser D.Khalili subsequent exhibitions covering a wide range of subjects reflecting the Schools areas of study have included:
Chinese textiles; the European experience of Africa and the Middle East; Islamic art traditions; contemporary Israeli art; contemporary art and design from Africa, Asia and the Middle East; Persian paintings; Japanese art; Middle Eastern archaeology; historical Indian photography; Ethiopian 17th century art and architecture; history of the Arabian Peninsula; traditional crafts including Malay wood carving; Chinese ceramics; Egyptian textiles and tapestries; exploring the various medical, spiritual and dietary traditions for well-being from Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist customs; contemporary Middle Eastern art and Indian music traditions amongst many others. In January 2011 the Gallery reached a landmark with its 100th Exhibition Bridge of Knowledge: Western Appreciation of Arab and Islamic Civilisation in the Arcadian Library. Later that year it hosted the first ever major exhibition on the Golden Temple (Harimandir Sahib) of Amritsar and in 2013 the landmark exhibition The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination the first exhibition of its kind to provide a visual narrative of the history of Zoroastrianism. The launch exhibition of SOAS’s own collection Objects of Instruction: Treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies held in 2007 led to the opening of the Foyle Special Collection Gallery within the Gallery where a selection of the School’s own collection is on rotating display or themed to relate to key temporary exhibitions. The exhibitions shown have provided the first opportunity for many artists, collections and exhibitions, including charity campaigns, to be shown in this country. Further details of these can be found here https://www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/previous/

Welcome back after Reading Week!Need a study break? Take a moment to explore our on-campus exhibitions at the SOAS Galle...
17/02/2025

Welcome back after Reading Week!

Need a study break? Take a moment to explore our on-campus exhibitions at the SOAS Gallery:

🌍 Stories of Migration – Personal narratives of movement and displacement.
🌈 Batul – A thought-provoking exhibition exploring identity and belonging.
🏺 SOAS Collections – A display of artworks and objects from SOAS’s own collection, spanning Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Plus, don’t forget to visit our Japanese Roof Garden, open whenever the exhibitions are—perfect for a moment of peace between study sessions! 🌿✨

Experience the journey of Batul at SOAS GalleryThis striking photograph captures Batul during the ceremony—one moment in...
08/02/2025

Experience the journey of Batul at SOAS Gallery

This striking photograph captures Batul during the ceremony—one moment in a deeply personal and powerful story. To see Batul’s full journey unfold, visit the 'Batul' exhibition at SOAS Gallery.

📍 On view now at SOAS Gallery
📅 Don't miss it!

Now on at SOAS Gallery: Stories of Migration 🌍✈️This powerful exhibition explores personal journeys of migration through...
05/02/2025

Now on at SOAS Gallery: Stories of Migration 🌍✈️

This powerful exhibition explores personal journeys of migration through art and storytelling. Featured here are objects used in the creation of animations by PositiveNegatives, an organization that brings real-life migration experiences to life through comics and animation.

Visit the exhibition to see how these stories unfold through visual narratives, personal testimonies, and creative expression. On view now at SOAS Gallery!

📍 Free public entry | SOAS Gallery
📅 Open until 22nd March

Discover ‘Stories of Migration’  now on at the SOAS Gallery.As global conversations on migration continue to shape our w...
01/02/2025

Discover ‘Stories of Migration’ now on at the SOAS Gallery.

As global conversations on migration continue to shape our world, this exhibition offers a vital space to reflect on personal and collective journeys, resilience, and belonging.

📅 16 January – 22 March
🕥 Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30am – 5:00pm
🌙 Late Thursdays until 8:00pm

Join us in exploring these powerful narratives. More details: 🔗https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/stories-migration

✨ Meeting Batul: Navigating Multiple Identities in Contemporary India ✨Join us for a thought-provoking online talk with ...
29/01/2025

✨ Meeting Batul: Navigating Multiple Identities in Contemporary India ✨

Join us for a thought-provoking online talk with Batul, a Delhi-based Muslim Indian LGBTQIA+ activist in transition, as she reflects on her powerful personal story and the causes she defends.
This event is part of the ongoing photo exhibition ‘Batul’ currently on display at the SOAS Gallery until the 22 of March 2025. During the conversation, Ondine de Gaulle, the project’s producer, and Paul Mesnager, the photographer behind ‘Batul’, will discuss the inspiration and vision that brought the project to life. Batul will then share her journey of self-discovery and delve into key themes such as q***r history in South Asia, the intersection of q***r and Muslim identities, and their evolving role in contemporary India.

This conversation with Batul will be followed by a Q&A with Dr. Richard Williams, a cultural historian of music in South Asia.

📅 Date: 24th February, 12pm GMT
📍 Location: Online
🎟️ Free entry – Register now: https://ow.ly/GQSN50UPpZk

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with the narratives behind the exhibition.

Now Open!The 'Stories of Migration exhibition' is here! 🌍 Free and open to the public, Tues-Sat, 10:30 AM–5 PM, with lat...
16/01/2025

Now Open!

The 'Stories of Migration exhibition' is here! 🌍 Free and open to the public, Tues-Sat, 10:30 AM–5 PM, with late openings on Thursdays (including tonight!) until 8 PM.

14/01/2025
📸 opening soon: ‘Batul’Explore the powerful story of Sambhav, a Sikh man from Old Delhi, as he transitions into Batul, a...
13/01/2025

📸 opening soon: ‘Batul’

Explore the powerful story of Sambhav, a Sikh man from Old Delhi, as he transitions into Batul, a Muslim woman in Kashmir. This stunning photography exhibition and documentary dives into themes of identity, resilience, and societal contradictions in South Asia.

📅 25 Jan – 22 Mar 2025
⏰ 10:30 AM – 5 PM
📍 SOAS Gallery, First Floor Photography Studio

Presented in five intimate chapters, Batul offers a profound look at personal and political intersections through striking visuals and storytelling.

Opening in ONE WEEK!Join us at the SOAS Gallery for the ‘Stories of Migration’ exhibition , launching next Tuesday, 16th...
09/01/2025

Opening in ONE WEEK!

Join us at the SOAS Gallery for the ‘Stories of Migration’ exhibition , launching next Tuesday, 16th January. Explore powerful stories and thought-provoking art that challenge perceptions and inspire dialogue.

https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/stories-migration

📚✨ Before Strange Wonders closed, Professor Anna Contadini accompanied her first-year  Objects of Art History students o...
27/12/2024

📚✨ Before Strange Wonders closed, Professor Anna Contadini accompanied her first-year Objects of Art History students on a special tour of the exhibition. Guided by Dr. Katie Hill, the curator, the students engaged with the innovative works of Jizi and other pioneers of contemporary Chinese ink art. 🖌️

Although the exhibition has concluded, you can still explore its legacy. A free downloadable catalogue and a video tour are available on the Strange Wonders page of the SOAS Gallery website: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/strange-wonders-jizi-and-pioneers-contemporary-ink-china

🎄 Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all our visitors and students celebrating! 🎄We hope you enjoy this snowy scene, 'Wes...
25/12/2024

🎄 Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all our visitors and students celebrating! 🎄

We hope you enjoy this snowy scene, 'West Gate' by Elizabeth Keith, from the SOAS Collections. Keith, a self-taught artist from Scotland, captured beautiful moments from her travels in Asia. This woodblock print of the Taedong Gate in Pyongyang reflects the fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

🚪 We're closed for the season, but we'll be back on 16 January with a new exhibition!'Stories of Migration' celebrates 1...
18/12/2024

🚪 We're closed for the season, but we'll be back on 16 January with a new exhibition!

'Stories of Migration' celebrates 12 years of powerful, innovative storytelling by SOAS-based PositiveNegatives, exploring themes of migration through art, animation, and narrative.

Don’t miss it!

https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/event/stories-migration

Stories of Migration celebrates 12 years of innovative storytelling from SOAS-based, not-for-profit organisation, PositiveNegatives.

✨ Today’s the Final Day! ✨It’s your last chance to experience Strange Wonders at SOAS Gallery! Don’t miss Jizi’s Star Se...
14/12/2024

✨ Today’s the Final Day! ✨

It’s your last chance to experience Strange Wonders at SOAS Gallery! Don’t miss Jizi’s Star Secret (2013) and other mesmerizing works before we close for the season. We’ll be back on 16 January with a new exhibition—see you then!

✨ Last Days to See Strange Wonders! ✨The Strange Wonders exhibition at SOAS Gallery closes this Saturday! Don’t miss the...
11/12/2024

✨ Last Days to See Strange Wonders! ✨

The Strange Wonders exhibition at SOAS Gallery closes this Saturday! Don’t miss the chance to explore incredible works like Wei Liang’s Green Peacock B (2018), a vibrant blend of ink, acrylic, and paint. Celebrate the beauty and depth of contemporary Chinese ink art with us before it’s gone!

📅 Closes Saturday at SOAS Gallery

✨ Last Week to See Strange Wonders at SOAS Gallery! ✨Don’t miss your chance to experience the captivating works of Jizi ...
07/12/2024

✨ Last Week to See Strange Wonders at SOAS Gallery! ✨

Don’t miss your chance to experience the captivating works of Jizi and the pioneers of contemporary Chinese ink art, including the breathtaking Distant Suns (2010). This is your final week to immerse yourself in these unique visions bridging tradition and innovation. See it before it’s gone!

📅 Closes in 1 week at SOAS Gallery

Address

SOAS Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square
London
WC1H0XG

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 10:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+442078984046

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The Brunei Gallery as part of SOAS for over 20 years has displayed exhibitions that reflect the many diverse subjects and regions studied by the School being dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the art, culture, history and contemporary contexts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East to a new and wider audience through its programme of changing exhibitions and use of the Schools Collections.

The inaugural exhibition was held at the Galleries in May 1996 Empire of the Sultans, an exhibition of Ottoman art from the collection of Dr. Nasser D.Khalili subsequent exhibitions covering a wide range of subjects reflecting the Schools areas of study have included:

Chinese textiles; the European experience of Africa and the Middle East; Islamic art traditions; contemporary Israeli art; contemporary art and design from Africa, Asia and the Middle East; Persian paintings; Japanese art; Middle Eastern archaeology; historical Indian photography; Ethiopian 17th century art and architecture; history of the Arabian Peninsula; traditional crafts including Malay wood carving; Chinese ceramics; Egyptian textiles and tapestries; exploring the various medical, spiritual and dietary traditions for well-being from Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist customs; contemporary Middle Eastern art and Indian music traditions amongst many others.

In January 2011 the Gallery reached a landmark with its 100th Exhibition Bridge of Knowledge: Western Appreciation of Arab and Islamic Civilisation in the Arcadian Library. Later that year it hosted the first ever major exhibition on the Golden Temple (Harimandir Sahib) of Amritsar and in 2013 the landmark exhibition The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination the first exhibition of its kind to provide a visual narrative of the history of Zoroastrianism.