The Arab Hall: Past and Present will open in Leighton House in 2026.
Leighton House will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Located near Holland Park, London, the centenary events begin in October 2025. The diverse programme includes exhibitions, special events, and outreach initiatives. The exhibitions include The View from Here: Contemporary Art from the Middle East and North Africa and The Arab Hall: Past and Present.
Daniel Robbins, Senior Curator, explained: “With a focus on contemporary voices whilst celebrating the historic richness of the interiors and collections, the centenary programme brings together every aspect of Leighton House that makes it distinctive, significant and still relevant 100 years later”.
On 11 October, The View from Here: Contemporary Art from the Middle East and North Africa opens. Presented in collaboration with the Oriental Museum, Durham University, it will showcase emerging creative voices from the MENA region. The display explores heritage, memory, and identity through the use of assemblage and collage.
In spring 2026, The Arab Hall: Past and Present will be the first major exhibition to focus on the Arab Hall at Leighton House. The project will include a new artistic short film, which captures the beauty of the space, site-specific works, and a new publication on the space by Dr Melanie Gibson.
Leighton House was the former home and studio of the artist Frederic Leighton. He travelled to countries including Algeria, Syria, and Turkey. On his travels, he was inspired by architecture and culture. He would bring back ceramics, drawings, oil sketches, textiles, and more.
The Arab Hall draws inspiration from Frederic’s travels. In 1877, he commissioned his friend and architect George Aitchison to work on the hall. The space boasts coloured glass windows from Egypt and Syria.
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GO: Visit www.rbkc.gov.uk for more information.