To commemorate the opening of the Ismaili Center Houston, artworks from the Aga Khan Museum are on display to celebrate the shared values of pluralism between the organizations. These 20th and 21st century lustreware ceramics highlight the little-known artistic and historical links between the Islamic world and Japan, exemplified by artist Takuo Kato (1917–2005), a ‘Living National Treasure’ who revived the Persian lustre technique and blended it with Japanese ceramic traditions. His distinctive practice reflects centuries of cultural exchange and innovation. Lustreware, with its shimmering metallic finish achieved through a complex firing process, was one of the most celebrated techniques in Islamic ceramics and remains a symbol of artistic ingenuity and cross-cultural influence.
The Aga Khan Museum was founded by His Late Highness, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in Toronto, Canada, in 2014. Its mission – through the arts – is to spark wonder, curiosity and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connections with other cultures. Its vision is to positively impact lives and contribute to inclusive, pluralistic communities and societies.
