Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council collaborated with designers Patricia Swannell and Kazuhito Takadoi from the UK-based Jaggedart Gallery, who share a rapport with the natural world, using and being inspired by organic materials and approaching their practice in a measured, labour intensive and serene way.
Despite each artist having their own distinct art language, the result of this collaboration was an inspiring dialogue and deeper understanding and appreciation
of Sharjah.
In the “Safeefah x Japanese Grass” Design Lab, three wall tapestries incorporating Emirati palm fronds and Japanese grass were produced by Takadoi and Irthi’s Bidwa artisans.
The tapestries reflect the landscapes of Sharjah through the eyes of Takadoi, who is a UK-based, V&A acquired, and Loewe shortlisted artist.
Artisans from Irthi’s Bidwa Social Development Programme combined their knowledge of Emirati Safeefah weaving techniques with Takadoi’s refined Japanese embroidery techniques to produce delicate woven elements that link Emirati and Japanese landscapes.
This piece has been produced during the “Design Labs” initiative by Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council.
