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About


I am an art historian of the medieval Mediterranean. Specializing in the arts of the lands of Islam, my research investigates the intersections of visual culture, identity, and faith, with a particular focus on silk textiles and the ways that their histories have reflected and shaped understandings of the weavers and embroiderers of medieval Sicily. My broader work follows these histories into the present day, exploring how Mediterranean pasts are repurposed in imperial projects, modern design, and contemporary political imaginaries.

Beyond my book project on Sicilian textiles, my research has appeared in Speculum and the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, while my work in contemporary art has been featured in a range of publications as well as the 2026 Venice Biennale. Across these projects, I explore the continuing relevance of Islamic and Mediterranean visual traditions.
The silks of medieval Sicily
The silks of medieval Sicily
The Cathedral of Mogadishu
The Cathedral of Mogadishu
The art of Khaled Sabsabi
The art of Khaled Sabsabi
Medievalism in modern design
Medievalism in modern design

Contact


Claire Dillon
PhD Candidate, Arts of the Lands of Islam

claire.dillon[at]columbia.edu


Department of Art History & Archaeology

Columbia University



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