Paradise Carpet at the ArtHouse

15th November - 22 February 2025

Paradise Carpet is a new commission by Zarah Hussain who explores geometry, spirituality and technology. This captivating installation welcomes visitors onto an ever-changing carpet of light, blending intricate patterns with the calming influence of colour and sound to create a space for reflection, connection and community.

Born in the North of England, Hussain grew up with Kashmiri parents who worked in the textile industry. Islamic carpets or prayer rugs were the art of her family’s daily life. She became fascinated by how Islamic art has shaped and absorbed global ideas. With a background in Art and Design, and research into connections between cultures and histories, Hussain’s work blends tradition with innovation to create immersive and transformative experiences.

Paradise Carpet weaves together her interest in the rich history of Islamic carpets with cutting edge digital art, creating a place where tradition and innovation meet. Featuring a dynamic floor of projected patterns, the work fills the gallery with soft, colourful light. Visitors can walk, sit, pray or meditate on the digitally woven ‘carpet’, as ambient soundscapes create a sensory experience designed to calm the mind and foster contemplation.

This project is timely as we live in divisive times where fears of ‘the other’ or outsiders have become definitive features of discourse. Paradise Carpet is more than art - it is a call for cohesion. A celebration of movement, migration and cross-cultural connection, it acts a reminder of our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of cultures, both past and present.