Banners win Jameel prize at V&A
Algerian-born Rachid Koraichi has won the prestigious Jameel Prize, the V&A museum in London has announced.
Established in 2009, the £25,000 prize honours international art and design inspired by Islamic tradition.
Ten artists and designers were shortlisted for the award, which is presented every two years, from almost 200 nominations from across the globe.
Koraichi's winning work consisted of embroidered banners inscribed with Arabic symbols and ciphers.
Entitled Les Maitres Invisibles (The Invisible Masters), the series is a tribute to 14 mystic personalities from the Islamic world.
The artist, who now lives in Tunisia and France, was born into a Sufi family - Sufism being a mystical aspect of Islam.
His work often explores Africa's complex contribution to Islamic culture and philosophy.
'Hold their own'
"Rachid's work stood out because his banners have a universal appeal," said Martin Roth, chairman of the judging panel, and director of the V&A.
"They work in the white space of a contemporary art gallery, but they also hold their own in historical settings - from Parisian palaces to simple Sufi shrines."
Nominated works for the Jameel Prize ranged from traditional Iranian felt garments, to complex architectural models, placed upon densely-patterned Persian rugs.
All of the pieces incorporated an element of traditional Islamic craft and design.
An exhibition has been running at the V&A since 21 July and will tour Europe and the US later in the year.
Afruz Amighi, who won the inaugural Jameel prize in 2009, was among the judges this year.