Soraya Syed's Video Installation Transforms Leighton House's Arab Hall

From Water, Every Living Thing, a unique video installation by London artist Soraya Syed, is being showcased at Leighton House in London. This work is part of the museum’s interdisciplinary initiative, The Arab Hall: Past and Present. Open from 30 July to 4 October 2026, the installation reimagines the Hall's historic fountain, merging moving calligraphy, projections, water, and sound into a cohesive experience. The Arab Hall, designed by Victorian artist Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) following his extensive travels through North Africa and the Middle East, serves as a stunning addition to his Kensington studio-house, incorporating Islamic, Mediterranean, and Victorian artistic traditions. The centerpiece features a collection of antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey, and Iran, with Syed's work creating a modern conversation with this remarkable setting.