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In west London, a unique exhibition is drawing attention to the Arab Hall, a stunning room inside Leighton House. This house once belonged to Frederic Leighton, a well-known Victorian artist. The Arab Hall was built in the late 1800s after Leighton traveled to places like Syria and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. He wanted to bring the beauty he saw on his travels back to London, so he decorated the room with antique tiles from Damascus, Turkey, and Iran. The room’s design is inspired by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean styles, making it stand out from other rooms in the city.

The Arab Hall is famous not just for its beauty, but also because it has been used as a filming location for music videos, movies, and TV shows. In the 1980s, the band Spandau Ballet filmed their hit song Gold in the Arab Hall. The Stranglers also filmed their song Golden Brown there. Gary Kemp, the guitarist and songwriter for Spandau Ballet, said the room was perfect for their video because it was fancy and mysterious, which matched the style of the 1980s. He also shared that the room is important to him personally, because he met his future wife during the filming of the video. The Arab Hall has become a place that attracts fans of these bands, as well as people who love art and history.

The new exhibition, called The Arab Hall: Past and Present, is the first major show focused on this room. It is part of the 100th anniversary of Leighton House becoming a museum. The exhibition includes a short film about the hall, new research about its history, and three modern art installations. One of the installations is by Ramzi Mallat, a Lebanese artist living in London. He created a piece that hangs over the fountain in the room, using blue ceramic charms to connect different cultures and histories. Another part of the exhibition is a short film by Soudade Kaadan, a Syrian filmmaker. She describes the Arab Hall as a peaceful place that reminded her of home. The exhibition will be open until October 2026, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the history and art of this remarkable room.