What do we really mean when we speak of “Islamic Art?”

Far from being a simple label, this expression has been shaped by history, scholarship, and cultural encounters. Over time, it has come to stand for an extraordinarily diverse range of artistic traditions and expressions that span continents, centuries, and ways of life. Yet the category continues to raise important questions: Who defines it? How has it been understood and used by Muslims and non-Muslims? And what challenges does it present when applied to both “traditional” and “contemporary” artworks?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis and Prof. Christiane Gruber reflect on how “Islamic Art,” as a field of thought and practice, was born, how it evolved and its meanings shifted, and why it remains such a powerful and challenging topic of discussion today. Together, they explore the implications and complexities of “Islamic art” for global contemporary artists whose practices draw upon yet challenge the legacies of this vast, rich, and at times unwieldy set of creative traditions.

By unpacking the legacies and stories behind “Islamic art,” this dialogue invites audiences to see and think beyond the label to consider how artworks, cultures, and identities are continually reimagined and remain fluid the world over.