Students Exhibit 'Poetic Voices in the Muslim World' at NYC Gallery

Colorado Academy ninth graders created Persian Miniatures, or small paintings on paper, which are now on display at the City Lore Gallery in New York City in an exhibit called “Poetic Voices in the Muslim World.” The miniatures were created by students in English teacher Betsey Coleman’s Coming of Age in the World class.

 

While reading Marjane Satrapi’s memoir Persepolis about the author’s experience during the Iranian Revolution, students studied and deconstructed Persian miniatures. Persian miniature thrived as an art form in the Near and Middle East, Persia, and South Asia between the 13th and 16th centuries.

 

After studying a series of classic miniatures and analyzing the calligraphy, non-figurative ornamental decoration in borders, and figurative scenes, the students deconstructed the images to understand what they evoked about the societies of that time.  Then, students used the style to create their own personal miniatures to express their individual identities.

 

Developed by City Lore, in collaboration with the national poetry library and literary center Poets House, “Poetic Voices of the Muslim World” is an exhibit that has travelled to 11 cities. Click here to view a digital re-creation of the exhibition.