Beginning with an overview of the history of Islamic art collecting and scholarship in Canada from the late nineteenth century to the present day, this lecture then considers how the tools of narrative and storytelling can be used in academic and museum settings to explain the ways in which Islamic buildings, objects, and paintings communicated with their original audiences.

Highlighting a selection of objects, including works in the collections of the Aga Khan Museum and Royal Ontario Museum, Professor Milwright will explore the ways in which narratives can be generated from the examination of the material, aesthetic, and symbolic qualities of art. Objects can also preserve evidence of mistakes, changes of mind, and unexpected events, providing us with valuable glimpses into the lives of past makers and consumers.