Uphill climb for Islamic art to thrive in North America
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - The North American market for Islamic art has two unique characteristics that may counter its growth - and they are not political: a dispersed community and the lack of art patronage.
Seattle-based Mamoun Sakkal, a Syrian artist and calligrapher who invented the popular Shilia font used at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, said it is hard to reach Muslims, who are the primary market for Islamic art in North America.
“I think there is very little market for Islamic art in North America,” said Sakkal, who believes that politics, including that of President Trump’s administration, will have very little impact on the Islamic art market because it is very niche.
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ZUZANITA ZAKARIA