Café Royal Books

artist Ian Hamilton Finlay</a> (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.</p><p>Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.</p><p><br></p>" />

Ammna Sheikh</a> is a British/Pakistani artist whose practice celebrates the richness of her Pakistani cultural heritage. She explores the handmade, generational techniques and histories that have been carefully passed down in her family over the past 70 years. Her art emphasizes the enduring value of these craft traditions, intending to preserve them as digital technology increasingly overshadows cultural practices that rely on the human touch. She investigates the intricate legacy of Islamic architecture, a tradition that took shape in Persia during the eleventh century, influenced by a fusion of Turkoman, Chinese, Ottoman and Western European elements. This cultural blend, especially the Turk-Persian influence, shaped the Indian subcontinent profoundly under the Mughal Empire, beginning in 1526. With the Mughals’ Persian roots, countless artisans and craftspeople brought their skills to the region, transforming its visual culture and leaving a legacy that continues to shape Pakistani heritage - from language and literature to design, arts, and crafts. To convey the significance of this heritage, Ammna works with traditional techniques such as screenprinting, weaving, embroidery and painting, all of which underscore the handmade nature of her pieces. Each artwork is created using labour-intensive methods that document the time and dedication necessary for their completion. This process-driven approach highlights the importance of time, skill and craft, aligning with the ethos of Kashi tile-making, one of Sindh’s oldest handcrafts that historically linked Persian architecture to the region. The themes in her work are enriched by the vibrant colours, intricate patterns and cultural motifs of her heritage, often reflecting on colonial displacement and its impact on traditional practices. Inspired by architectural features like Muqarnas - the “Honeycomb Vault” - she explores the structural beauty and layered spaces these forms create, offering viewers a glimpse into the timeless resonance of Islamic architecture. Through these handmade, laborious processes she hopes to honour and help keep these crafts alive, celebrating the artistry that connects generations and transcends borders. Her work stands as a tribute to these cultural traditions, capturing both their historical significance and the vibrancy they bring to contemporary art.</p><p><br></p>" />