Irthi elevates traditional Emirati craftsmanship to the world stage with 11 collaborations and 14 new releases in 2021
SHARJAH, 23rd January, 2022 (WAM) -- With 11 cross-cultural and interdisciplinary design-driven craft collaborations, 14 new collection launches and 10 programs launched during 2021, the UAE-based Irthi Contemporary Craft Council United, affiliated with NAMA Women Advancement, has made a powerful statement on national and international platforms with its exceptional creative work, uncovering new opportunities for Emirati women artisans to develop and preserve local crafts in a sustainable and economically viable way.
The works of Emirati artisans have been made available to an audience of more than 15,000 people and craft enthusiasts who participated in Irthi's locally and internationally organized events throughout 2021.
Irthi's ongoing efforts to revitalize craftsmanship and carry the indigenous craft legacy of the MENASEA and Central Asia regions into the future have paved the way for the creation of an innovation ecosystem where the infusion of a modern spirit and design interventions they are expanding the vocabulary of traditional crafts. Through social development programs, vocational training, and collaborations with designers from different cultures and artistic backgrounds, Irthi continues to provide a new narrative for women and empowers its artisans to tap into contemporary global markets.
Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, said: "Under the guidance and vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of NAMA, Irthi has redoubled its efforts to bring Emirati crafts to the world stage.to help preserve and protect our craft heritage for future generations.The collaborative artistic and design explorations led by Irthi have seen the introduction of novel materials and techniques that today enrich the craft heritage of Sharjah and the UAE and take the exceptional craft traditions of Emirati artisans in new and exciting directions."
He added: "The future of craftsmanship is determined by its ability to adapt to the changing needs of contemporary culture and throughout 2021, Irthi has adapted to the needs of the global market and a digitally savvy generation to foster innovative pathways that support sustainability, employment, and craft and cultural preservation The synergy between designers and artisans is creating new audiences for traditional craft practices, while the multi-pronged approach of our craft documentation is further filling gaps in knowledge and making heritage crafts accessible to present and future generations."
2022 began on a very promising note for Irthi, which was announced as an entity with legal personality and full capacity to carry out the necessary legal actions to achieve its goals and exercise its powers, with its financial, administrative and technical independence.
A Legacy of Achievement in 2021 Irthi made a firm mark on the international design scene throughout 2021 with new collection launches at Design Miami/ Podium x Shanghai; the presentation of fashion and jewelry collections on the global digital portal 'Elevenish'; collaboration with London-based fashion brand QASIMI; and partnering on a craft urban installation project with Beirut-based architecture and design studio, T SAKHI, among others.
The Irthi series launched at Design Miami/ Podium x Shanghai with two curated contemporary artisan collections of uniquely designed and functional objects and marked an important new chapter in Irthi's efforts to safeguard the region's artisan heritage. The launch of the Zenobia Collection, in collaboration with Levantine designer Nada Debs, integrated the worlds of Talli and Marquetry, while the launch of the Thaya Collection, created in collaboration with Bahraini and Emirati designers and a Pakistan-based art collective, offered a contemporary interpretation of Safeefah (woven palm leaves).
The curated launch of the 'Zenobia Collection' was also the subject of a panel discussion hosted at The Arts Club Dubai, where experts praised Irthi's efforts to start a dialogue between two crafts from two different worlds.
The third cohort of 10 Emirati designers trained in 'Azyame', Irthi's flagship fashion entrepreneurship programme, have embarked on exciting entrepreneurial journeys by presenting their fashion and jewelery collections inspired by Emirati craftsmanship on 'Elevenish', a site of international electronic commerce. .
Irthis's efforts to support local crafts and artisans in the MENASA region led to its selection as a collaborative partner for London-based QASIMI's SS22 collection, featuring the unique Emirati handicrafts of Safeefah and Faroukha (a handwoven tassel hand).
Safeefah's 'Sayr Yaay' pattern also inspired the 2,000 scented bags handmade from recycled felt by 37 Emirati artisans for the urban installation project designed and curated by Beirut-based T SAKHI, which was presented at the fifth edition of the European Cultural Center that opened in parallel with the Venice Architecture Biennale.
Irthi's bold vision of opening dialogue, sharing skills and exploring new alternatives has led to opportunities for collaboration with various multi-sector entities, expanding the scope of networking and embracing new knowledge.
Irthi partnered with Italian luxury jewelry brand, Bulgari, in a roundtable discussion to discuss the importance of curating and documenting cultural heritage, while offering a distinct take on Safeefah and Talli for the Irthi x Cartier Ramadan 2021 Collection featuring baskets handmade and the Misbah (prayer beads).
The House of Artisans has acquired four bespoke creations celebrating indigenous craft heritage and produced by Emirati artisans in Irthi's Bidwa Social Development Program as part of its permanent collections housed in Abu Dhabi's historic Qasr Al Hosn.
The Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai set the stage for four thought-provoking discussions organized by Irthi to sustain and promote the craft, textile and design industries in the UAE, and formed the backdrop for the presentation of research results initiated by the Council.
In the round table 'The art of weaving connections', Irthi highlighted the need to create a collective global framework to ensure fair trade and wages for artisan communities around the world. The session was attended by Reem Bin Karam, Director of NAMA (representing the UAE), Maywand Jabarkhyl, Executive Director and Board Member of the Fatima Bint Mohamed Initiative (FBMI), Sheikha Bibi Duaij AlJaber Al Sabah from Kuwait, and Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director of the Crafts Council, UK.
'The Cultural Power of Sustainability' explored Irthi's advanced palm fiber research and development of a biodegradable palm textile prototype and launched two publications: one, which focused on Irthi date palm research and the second, a collaborative venture with Alchemy of Dyeing documenting Natural and Sustainable Recipes for Dyeing Palm Leaves.
Highlighting the importance of documenting the UAE signature perfume traditions, including ancient recipes, blending techniques and ingredients, Irthi launched The Future Essence in 'Connections Through Culture'. The bilingual publication also describes the ongoing multimedia and design projects that Irthi is implementing in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah.
In the session titled "Crafting the Future", Irthi launched Hiraf, an iPad game aimed at the tech-savvy younger generation and designed to master the complex Talli and Safeefah weaving techniques. 'Hiraf' was developed in collaboration with Opera Amsterdam, Studio Louter and Studio Shosho, based in the Netherlands.
Irthi has broadened the creative and professional horizons of 13 young Emirati artisans with the skills of 12 types and techniques of Jordanian and Palestinian embroidery in a 12-month craft training program conducted in collaboration with Jordan-based brand Saru Fashion.
Through a series of hands-on art workshops led by Irthi's Hirfati Youth Program at Dubai Design Week's vibrant Maker Space, young participants gained an introduction to traditional Emirati and modern sustainable crafts. The crafts were inspired by cultural revitalization projects undertaken by Irthi's Design Labs and Crafts Dialogue initiatives.
An interactive 360-degree 'Virtual Experience' on the Irthi website showcases a curated selection of the new and yet to be released collections that are three-dimensionally modeled and set against the backdrop of Sharjah's magnificent desert landscape to reflect the landscape from which these handicrafts have emerged.
Translated by / Samar Mohamed Reda.
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