Ismaili Center Houston Commissions Rana Begum, Plans Gabriel Martinez Show

The Ismaili Center in Houston is set to showcase a new installation by Rana Begum, a Bangladeshi-British artist, along with a solo exhibition featuring Houston's own Gabriel Martinez. Begum's work, titled "No. 1573 Reflectors" (2025–2026), will stand at 20 feet tall and is made from reflective hazard tape and aluminum, aimed at exploring light using everyday materials. It will be installed in the East Atrium, making use of both natural and artificial light, with plans for late July installation and a public reveal in early fall. Gabriel Martinez's exhibition, "Article," opens on August 15 and includes a large hand-sewn piece from discarded clothing, addressing themes of labor and consumerism. Another of his works, "Beneath the Shadow of the Fig Leaf" (2025), is part of the center's permanent collection, which will be displayed until January 10, 2027. Rozina Mussani, the center's director, noted that local sites, including James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany," influenced Begum's selection.