Crafts Dialogue brings Emirati Artistry with Spanish and Italian Techniques

Sharjah: Women artisans at the Bidwa Social Development Programme of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi) are creating traditional Emirati Talli (handwoven braids) and Safeefah (palm frond weaving), that will be integrated with craft techniques from Spain and Italy.

This is a part of an ongoing project, ‘Crafts Dialogue’, developed by Irthi – an affiliate of the NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) – that seeks to merge the arts and crafts of the UAE with global crafts. The first phase of the project was launched with designers from Italy and Spain, in collaboration with Creative Dialogue, a Barcelona-based organisation.

Four Emirati designers, Fatima Al Zaabi, Ghaya bin Mesmar, Abdalla Al Mulla and Shaikha Bin Dhaher, are working with Bidwa artisans to develop new techniques for traditional crafts, that will go into four limited-edition collections, created in conjunction with six Spanish and Italian designers: Laura Blasco, Juanmi Juárez, and Alex Estévez from Barcelona-based design studio Mermelada Estudio; Pepa Reverter from Barcelona; Adrian Salvador from Valencia; and Matteo Silverio from Venice.

The four collections will merge Emirati crafts of Talli, Safeefah and clay with Italian glass art from Murano and fine leather work from Spain.

‘Crafts Dialogue’ was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of NAMA, Founder and Royal Patron of Irthi, in Italy in November 2018.

Murano Glass x Clay

Matteo Silverio and Fatima Al Zaabi will collaborate on the first collection featuring Murano glass and clay, where the pieces are being produced using slip casting via CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milled molds.

"The shapes of the designed objects were created through computer-aided programmes and a parametric script, which generates complex forms,” said Fatima Al Zaabi.  “Slip casting is the suitable technique to produce these objects, and we decided to move away from the traditional process of
clay-making on a wheel. The production process for slip casting technique utilises a plaster mold to pour the liquid clay which then forms a layer of clay in the walls of the mold."

Talli x Safeefah

The second collection (Talli and Safeefah), being guided by Ghaya Bin Mesmar and Mermelada Estudio, will showcase new colours and natural dyes that can be produced with Safeefah. The aim is to provide a new vocabulary of colours for the Emirati craft.

“Using Safeefah on furniture for the very first time has allowed us to develop new colour combinations and new patterns through weaving,” said Ghaya Bin Mesmar. “Working with the artisans on the organic material and the natural dyes has yielded surprising and fascinating results.”

Safeefah x Clay

Working with Safeefah and clay for the third collection, Abdalla Al Mulla and Pepa Reverter will push the limits of designing with clay by creating pieces that surpass 60 cm in diameter and 1 metre in height.

“While keeping in mind the aesthetic attributes of both materials, the Safeefah will be used as a decorative belt, wrapped around the clay to explore new forms,” said Abdalla Al Mulla.

Talli x Leather

The Emirati craft of braiding (Talli) will be used to great effect in the fourth collection under the guidance of Shaikha bin Dhaher and Adrian Salvador Candela. Bin Dhaher will be utilising the single-strand Talli as a graphical element to accent her illustrations that take inspiration from both Emirati and Spanish cultures.

“Our project focuses on integrating Spanish leather with Emirati Talli, which is a craft made by women for women,” said Bin Daher. “The illustrations are inspired by Caryatids, sculpted female figures historically known to serve as architectural support in buildings by acting as pillars or columns.”

“This becomes a metaphor highlighting the importance of women in society and the ‘weight’ that they often carry. Whether it be the weight of a building or a jug of water, this project celebrates all Caryatids, standing and fallen.”

The Talli and Safeefah elements of the collections are currently under production by the women artisans of Irthi’s Bidwa Social Development Programme, under the design direction of Ghaya bin Mesmar, Shaikha Bin Dhaher, and Abdalla Al Mulla.

The clay production, which is also underway, is also made in the UAE, under the design direction of Fatima Al Zaabi and Abdalla Al Mulla.

The limited-edition collections that will result from this international collaboration will be revealed in an international launch in September 2019.

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About Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council
The Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council aims to empower women socially and economically through the revival and modernization of traditional crafts, in addition to creating a sustainable future for these crafts and the artisans practicing them, through international partnerships and commercial collaborations.

The Council provides a fresh narrative for women artisans across the Middle East, North Africa, South East and Central Asia regions by developing their technical and vocational skills through social development and regional skills exchange programmes.

The Council also seeks to preserve traditional Emirati crafts, and develop the next generation of artisans and designers by engaging the youth and providing them with training and mentorship.

The Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council is one of three affiliates of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment.

For more information, visit www.irthi.com 

© Press Release 2019