MUSIC TO STIR THE SOUL

An evening of music and conversation inspired by the exhibition Reflections: contemporary art of the Middle East and North Africa.

The event kicks off with a performance by Maya Youssef, composed in response to the display and recorded in the gallery. Youssef says, ‘This will be the first time where I compose in reaction to a work of art as part of my ‘Finding Home’ album. It is a journey through feelings of nostalgia and memories and essences of home, both within and without, where art interweaves with music.’ She plays with Elizabeth Nott and Al MacSween.

Artist Samira Abbassy will speak about her drawing Unravelling, which is currently on display in Reflections and is one of the inspirations for Youssef’s piece. Writer Yasmine Seale will also discuss muwashshahat – multilingual love poems of Al-Andalus, sung by women, which had a powerful influence on the development of lyric poetry in Europe.

The event will be introduced and chaired by curator Venetia Porter. It is part of the public programme accompanying Reflections: contemporary art of the Middle East and North Africa at the British Museum (17 May – 15 August), supported by the Contemporary and Modern Middle Eastern Art (CaMMEA) acquisitions group.

Book now to secure your place. We’re hosting the event on Zoom – a free video conferencing system that requires users to register in advance. If you do not already use Zoom, you can sign up using this registration link.