5 December 2025 – 31 May 2026

Open 10am – 7pm daily
(please note the gallery will be closed 25 December-2 January and 4 January)

Canticle of the Birds is a mixed-media exhibition inspired by the Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar, exploring themes of spiritual journey, transformation, and interconnectedness. Organised in partnership with The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, the Royal School of Needlework, Drawing for the Planet, Songbird Survival, Kings Cross Academy, and Wendy Morrison Design, the exhibition brings together international artists, artisans, and young creators in collaborative projects.

Attar’s 12th-century Persian poem The Conference of the Birds tells the allegorical story of birds on a quest for the mythical simurgh, guided by the hoopoe, each bird representing a human flaw or attachment. Through seven symbolic valleys, they encounter trials and revelations, ultimately discovering the divine within themselves. The exhibition interprets these themes across a rich range of media, including Persian miniature painting, contemporary animation, crochet, ceramics, and an immersive soundscape capturing the songs of endangered UK birds. A haiku-inspired layout marks the seven valleys, from the Valley of Love to the Valley of Unity, inviting reflection on self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and environmental stewardship.

Noted historian and Distinguished University Professor Michael Barry contributes a specially written essay and a recorded talk, courtesy of The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. The exhibition also features The Gathering of Songbirds by Jane Lee McCracken, founder of Drawing for the Planet, incorporating drawings by Year 5 pupils from Kings Cross Academy created in collaboration with SongBird Survival to highlight UK songbird conservation. Wendy Morrison Design has provided Birdsong Yellow, a chinoiserie bird rug that serves as a vibrant central feature for the gallery. Treasures from the Aga Khan Library Collection include an illuminated Quran manuscript with Persian translation, a modern “American Quran,” and richly illustrated English editions of The Conference of the Birds. Historical works include The Congregation of Birds, a 17th-century Indian drawing by the Moghul artist Mani.

The exhibition features the work of Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh, Veeda Ahmed, Amaan Khalid Aslam, Delfina Bottesini, Samantha Buckley, Jung Byun, Mike Collier, Antje Damm, Aurélie Gérardin, Jenni Hawkins, Richard Henry, Anne Kelly, Amber Khokhar, Corina Lozovan, Jane Lee McCracken, Michaela McMillan, Annabelle Lucilla, Halleh Mortazavi, Sobia Naz, Kate Pankhurst, Amaranta Peña, Olga Prinku, Louise Saxton, Geoff Sample, Sana Sanjrani, Sangeeta Singh, Kat Thomas, Stephen Turner, Xia Xia, Karim Wadhwani, and Karen Williams.

We extend our thanks to all project partners for their support and collaboration, and to Dr Walid Ghali and Shah Hussain (Aga Khan Library), Dr Rahim Gholami (The Institute of Ismaili Studies), and Russell Harris (Editor, IIS) for their contributions. The exhibition is curated by Esen Salma Kaya, Curator, Aga Khan Centre Gallery.