Innovative approaches in Persian calligraphy
Room SLB/005, Spring Lane Building, Campus West, University of York (Map)
Event details
History of Art Research Seminar
At the heart of Islamic art lies calligraphy, not merely as a vehicle for communication, but as one of its most revered decorative forms. From early Kufic inscriptions embedded in architectural design to the diverse expressions of contemporary practice, artists across the Islamicate lands have continually pursued innovative approaches to script. This presentation explores key developments in Persian calligraphy, with particular attention to artistic experimentation and stylistic transformation in 19th-century Iran, and their continuation to today
About the speaker
Dr Shiva Mihan is Curator of Islamic Collections (Persianate World) at the British Museum. She received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2018, where her award-winning dissertation examined Timurid manuscript production in Baysunghur’s library in Herat. She has held postdoctoral fellowships at the Harvard Art Museums and the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, and has taught Islamic art as a Visiting Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on Persian manuscript culture, artistic patronage, and the transmission of texts across the Persianate world. She is also the founder and President of the Persian Manuscripts Association.
Venue details
Wheelchair accessible
Hearing loop