Sanctuary
Contemplate our shared humanity
February 8, 2020 - October 25, 2020
Temporary Exhibitions Gallery
What does sanctuary mean to you? Step inside an immersive and contemplative space dedicated to exploring the concept of safe haven. Woven rugs designed by 36 leading artists from around the world, including Mona Hatoum and Brendan Fernandes, reflect their personal responses to the word sanctuary — whether that means refuge, sacred space, place of beauty, or something entirely unique.
Reflecting Personal Histories
The 36 artworks are spectacularly varied, reflecting the great diversity of the artists’ heritages, philosophies, and histories — many of which include experiences as refugees and migrants.
The Process
The artists, representing 22 countries, were invited to create designs for the 4-by-6-ft. wool rugs. Artisans with ALRUG in Lahore, Pakistan, then wove the rugs following centuries-old regional techniques and using more than 100 different colours.
Sustainable Environment
Sanctuary’s innovative gallery design, developed in collaboration with Sarajevo-born artist and architecture historian Dr. Azra Akšamija, honours Earth as a sanctuary for all life. To make this vision a reality, the Museum’s Exhibitions team sourced as many sustainable building materials as they could get their hands on — including 3,000 second-hand t-shirts.
The Right to Safe Haven
Sanctuary comes at a critical moment in world history, where one person is forcibly displaced every two seconds because of conflict or persecution, according to the United Nations.
Rugs as Medium for Cultural Expression
Rug designs have often been informed by personal narratives and community. Patterns, symbols, colour, and material were traditionally selected to embody stories of history, place, purpose, and faith.
For-Site Foundation
Sanctuary was originally organized by the FOR-SITE Foundation, a San Francisco-based non-profit dedicated to the idea that art can inspire fresh thinking and important dialogue about our natural and cultural environment. It was first exhibited at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Chapel from October 7, 2017 to March 11, 2018.
