CRAVEN Museum and Gallery, Skipton, will host a new exhibition showcasing some of the top contemporary Islamic artists working in the UK.

The world-class Faith In Art exhibition, run in collaboration with the Muslim Museum Initiative, opens on February 5 and runs until March 28.

Curated by Initiative founder Mobeen Butt, the exhibition will bring together ten exceptional artists and will showcase calligraphy, geometry, arabesque, illumination, miniature painting, wood crafting, paper-cutting, embroidery, fabric printing and three dimensional works.

“Art has the power to transcend, it can bring worlds together, evoke emotions, pierce through politics, tell stories, and take people to distant times and far off places. The Faith in Art Exhibition aims to do all the above and more," said Mr Butt.

“This will be a rare and unmissable opportunity to see such a spectacular array of contemporary Islamic art exhibited outside of London, Dubai, Qatar or Malaysia."

He added that British Muslims were producing exceptional art.

“It is art with real soul, depth and meaning; art that mesmerises; and art that is increasingly being collected around the world.

“Synonymous with Islam, and, I believe, the religion’s real strength, this exhibition will show that there can be ‘unity within diversity’ and ‘diversity within unity’.’’

The Faith in Art Exhibition will also include work created at a five-week ‘Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy' course and a paper-cutting workshop inspired by Turkish Iznik patterns, which takes place next Saturday,January 30.

Mr Butt added: ‘The Muslim Museum Initiative works with educational and cultural institutes wanting to engage Muslim communities, explore elements of Islamic culture or Muslim heritage in Britain.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed partnering with Craven Museum and Gallery to engage a wider audience. I hope others will follow their lead.”

Cllr Simon Myers, Craven District Council's lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “We are delighted to bring such fantastic and renowned artwork into the museum.

“We are always proud of the work we display in the gallery, whether it’s local artists, like in our Craven Open exhibition, or international paper cuttings as we did over the summer. This exhibition is another example of Craven Museum and Gallery showcasing the most exciting and diverse range of artists around today.”