Five Pillars: lived experiences, new futures.
About the exhibition
Exhibition dates: 10 March - 3 April 2025 Martin Hall Exhibition Space
‘Five Pillars’ refers to the Five Pillars of Islam which are the core beliefs and practices central to the Muslim faith: the Profession of Faith (shahada), Prayer (salat), Alms (zakat), Fasting (swam) and Pilgrimage (hajj).
The Five Pillars exhibition celebrates Muslim identities and Islamic culture at Loughborough University and regionally by bringing together students, doctoral researchers, staff, community members and residents in one showcase. The exhibition aims to create awareness about the lived experiences of Muslims within and beyond academia, spotlight the contributions of members and explore the notion of ‘new futures’. It supports an inclusive, fair, and respectful culture, in which all people can realise their full potential, which is key to a thriving society.
The exhibition will be curated by Dr Kerri Akiwowo, Senior Lecturer in Textiles, School of Design and Creative Arts. The exhibition is part of a larger funded research project led by Professor of Sociology, Dr Line Nyhagen, School of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Aziz Foundation, who support British Muslims through educational opportunities to bring positive change to their communities.
Call for Contributions
You are invited to submit entries to be considered for inclusion in the Five Pillars exhibition. Submissions should align with the theme of the exhibition: the lived experiences of Muslims and new futures for communities within Loughborough University or wider society.
Please complete the online submission form using the button below by Monday 10 February 2025. Please read all the information on this web page before making a submission.
Participation is open to all and entries from Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome.
If you do not have a Loughborough University student or staff account then you will not be able to access the submission form. In this case, please contact LU Arts by email (LUArts@lboro.ac.uk) and provide the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Your connection to Loughborough University e.g. alumni, member of the local community
- Tell us what type of object(s) you would like to submit e.g. photo, clothing, video, painting etc
- Attach a photo(s) of the object(s)
Exhibition sub-themes
Entries may respond to the following sub-themes and submissions may be existing or new works:
Five Pillars of Islam
Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting and Pilgrimage
The Art of Science
Invention, Modelling, Mathematics, Demonstration, Technology, Ideation
Reimagine
Applied Practice, Craft, Art, Design, Cloth(es), Materials, Prototype, Process
Object Narratives
Artefacts, Personal Items, Curiosities, Keepsakes, Emblems, Storytelling
Communication
Rhetoric, Semantics, Verbal/Visual, Language, Written/Spoken Word, Semiotics
Submissions may include (but are not limited to): Poster, Clothing, Textiles, Calligraphy, Poetry, Personal Objects, Prototypes, Models, Antiquities, Art, Ceramics, Collections, Photography, Illustration, Animation, Film, Artefacts, Sketchbook, Literature, etc. (this list is not exhaustive)
NB: Individual and collaborative submissions are welcomed
What happens next?
If you are selected to take part in the exhibition you will be contacted by Kerri Akiwowo. You will need to bring your submission to the LU Arts office in Martin Hall (MHL0.07, ground floor). You can do this between 10am and 3pm, Mondays-Wednesdays from w/c 17 February 2025.
The deadline for dropping off work is Monday 3 March 2025.
If your submission is a video, please email the file to LUArts@lboro.ac.uk between 17 February – 3 March with 'Five Pillars video submission' in the subject line of your email.
Please send postal submissions to the attention of: Kerri Akiwowo, LU Arts Office, MHL0.7, Martin Hall, Loughborough University, Epinal Way LE11 3TU to arrive before 3 March 2025.