For the past 20 years, Southern California painter Sandow Birk has focused on applying the vision and scope of history painting to examining issues of contemporary relevance. Taking over a decade to complete, American Qur'an is Birk's most ambitious project to date. Birk hand-transcribed and illustrated every verse of the holy book of Islam using the calligraphy of the individual verses to frame scenes of contemporary American life.

The Museum of Texas Tech University will display selected works from Birk's project beginning in October.

Inspired by travel in the Islamic regions of the world and informed by extensive research in collections of Islamic art and manuscripts, Birk's undertaking emerges from a conviction that despite the U.S. having recently engaged in wars with Muslim nations as well as stateless organizations, the text of the Qur'an offers universal principles intended for all nations.

American Qur'an explores how this religious text might have meaning for Americans in the second decade of the 21st century. Members of the Lubbock community with considerable knowledge about the Quran will participate in a range of activities related to the exhibit.

The American Qur'an exhibition is presented through Sandow Birk, Catharine Clark Gallery, San Francisco.

This exhibit is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the Office of the President, Texas Tech University.

American Qur'an Events

Interfaith Panel

January 27
2 p.m.
Museum of Texas Tech University
Free admission and parking

A panel made up of Dr. Anne Epstein, of Congregation Shaareth Israel; the Rev. Davis B. Prince, retired minister of the Word and Sacrament Presbyterian Church; Dr. Abdul Hamood, a researchers at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; and Dr. Mark Webb, chairman of the TTU Philosophy Department, will discuss the commonalities between the three religions.