The traditional mosque is reimagined in fence-like steel wire in Saudi Arabian artist Ajlan Gharem's Paradise Has Many Gates installation, which has been awarded the V&A's Jameel Prize.
The award honours the best contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition, and this year went to Gharem's dome-topped touring installation.
The chicken wire of Paradise Has Many Gates is meant to recall detention centre fencing
Since 2015, Paradise Has Many Gates has appeared in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the USA and Canada, and is always accompanied by a public programme of events such as performances, poetry, readings, prayers and discussions.
Gharem created the work out of chicken wire to recall imagery of refugee detention centres and border walls, and invoke associated feelings of anxiety. The installation was originally erected in the desert near Riyadh
At the same time, he wanted to explore the implications of making the mosque literally transparent and open.
He believes Paradise Has Many Gates can help to demystify Islamic prayer for non-Muslims, while also presenting a challenge to political and religious authority, which thrives in secrecy.
"As this year's Jameel Prize winner, Ajlan Gharem's work speaks to global conditions and the experience of migrants, as well as being particularly resonant in its local context," said V&A director and Jameel Prize jury chair Tristram Hunt.
He described Gharem's work as being innovative in its use of material and having a...