This episode explores the theme of wonder as it relates to art and science in the Islamic world, as well as the role of museum curator. Dr. Ladan Akbarnia is Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art at the San Diego Museum of Art and a Commissioner of Arts and Culture for San Diego County. She conceived and curated the current exhibition Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World. Previously, she served as Curator of Islamic Collections at the British Museum from 2010-2019, Executive Director at the Iran Heritage Foundation in London, and Associate Curator of Islamic Art at the Brooklyn Museum. She holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Art and Architecture from Harvard University. Our conversation includes an overview of the exhibition, Dr. Akbarnia’s process for curating it, including many collaborations with other institutions and contemporary artists, and her role as curator more broadly.

For our Creativity Pro-Tip, we encourage you to get out to your local museum (or online collection), and view some art to see what it inspires for your own creative process.

Credits: The Syncreate podcast is created and hosted by Melinda Rothouse, and produced at Record ATX studios with in collaboration Michael Osborne and 14th Street Studios in Austin, Texas. Syncreate logo design by Dreux Carpenter.

If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more about the creative process, you might also like our conversations in Episode 48: Can You Learn Creativity? with Creative Director Chris McKenna, Episode 52: Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston, and Episode 56: Asking the Questions with Stereophonic Cast Member Chris Stack.

At Syncreate, we're here to support your creative endeavors. If you have an idea for a project or a new venture, and you’re not sure how to get it off the ground, find us at syncreate.org. Our book, also called Syncreate, walks you through the stages of the creative process so you can take action on your creative goals. We also offer resources, creative process tools, and coaching to help you bring your work to the world. You can find more information on our website, where you can also find all of our podcast episodes. Find and connect with us on social media and YouTube under Syncreate. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and leave us a review! We’d love to hear your feedback as well, so drop us a line at info@syncreate.org.

Episode-specific hyperlinks:

SDMA Wonders of Creation Exhibition Overview

Wonders of Creation Gallery Tour on YouTube

Dr. Ladan Akbarnia on LinkedIn

Book: Wonders of Creation

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