A remarkable piece of the Middle East sits at the heart of London’s Kensington. This summer, Leighton House brings its iconic Arab Hall into a new contemporary chapter with The Arab Hall: Past and Present, a multidisciplinary programme exploring the history and continuing relevance of one of London’s most extraordinary interiors.
The programme’s latest installation, From Water, Every Living Thing, by London-born artist and calligrapher Soraya Syed, is on display from 30 July to 4 October 2026.
Rather than adding another object to the historic space, Syed transforms its central fountain into the artwork itself. A three-minute projection combines moving calligraphy, water and sound, drawing inspiration from the Hall’s inscriptions, stained-glass windows and intricate tilework.
Taking its title from the Qur'anic verse “From water We made every living thing,” the work explores water as a symbol of life, renewal and connection. Letters from Hizb al-Bahr, a devotional prayer traditionally associated with protection for travellers at sea, appear across the surface of the water, creating a quiet and immersive experience for visitors.
A hall shaped by the Middle East
Created by Victorian artist Frederic Leighton between 1877 and 1881, the Arab Hall was inspired by his extensive travels across North Africa and the Middle East. Its richly decorated interior brings together Islamic, Mediterranean and Victorian craftsmanship, with antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey and Iran forming its centrepiece.
The Arab Hall: Past and Present is the first major exploration of the space, bringing together contemporary installations, the short film When the Tiles Spoke by award-winning filmmaker Soudade Kaadan, and a historical exhibition informed by new research by Dr Melanie Gibson.
The programme is part of Leighton House’s 100th anniversary as a public museum, showing how an interior created more than a century ago can continue to inspire new conversations around art, culture and exchange.
Plan your visit
Leighton House, London
30 July – 4 October 2026
From Water, Every Living Thing is included with museum admission.
The Arab Hall: Past and Present programme runs until 4 October 2026.
