Zwara Exhibition Showcases Talent in Design Through Storytelling

The fourth edition of Zwara marked the final phase of the programme with an exhibition held at the M7 learning space that attracted the creative fraternity of Qatar. The exhibition that showcases the talent of the country is ongoing till 18 December 2024.

On September 11, 2024, Qatar’s creative sparks were showcased at M7— the country’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in fashion, design and technology. An exhibition marking the conclusion of the fourth edition of the Zwara Programme, showcased bespoke creations by four selected designers who participated in the programme. The space in M7 was filled to capacity with important figures from the design fraternity encouraging the talents. The exhibition, held at M7’s Learning Space, will be open to the public until 18 December 2024.

The opening was attended by Ibrahim Al Jaidah, alongwith other imminent architects, and creative minds from the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar. There were other dignitaries including Qatar Museums Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi who attened the event.

Zwara is an annual initiative, developed by M7, that seeks to spark creativity and collaboration against the backdrop of Qatar’s creative landscape, showcasing the importance of storytelling, and experimentation in design. This iteration of the programme coincided with M7’s blockbuster exhibition Masterpieces of Furniture Design (2023) and invited participants to a week-long trip at the prestigious Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

“At M7, we are proud to create initiatives and programmes such as Zwara that nurture and support up and coming creatives”, said Maha Al Sulaiti, Director of M7. “The culminating exhibition for this year’s edition of Zwara showcases the results of the 10-month long mentorship journey the participating artists embarked on. It highlights not only their process but also captures the collaborative spirit, creativity, and innovation that resulted from this programme. It’s a testament to the incredible craftmanship that characterises our local design community.”

Tailored and facilitated by M7, the 10-month long mentorship programme guided the designers through an incubation period led by partners, Vitra Design Museum and FROMM, resulting in four contemporary pieces that are featured in the exhibition. Here is an indepth feature on each product and the storytelling behind their inception.

Designers and their Masterpieces

Saraab by Galyiah Al Mohannadi

Galyiah Almohannadi is an Interior and a furniture designer with passion for adaptive reuse projects. Her work is tied in with the Qatari identity and she finds beauty in the stories of old spaces. Throughout her career, she has been on a quest of exploring innovative ways of reinterpreting local identity in contemporary approach that bridges the past and the future. Her research and exploration focus on redefining spaces in memorable ways that facilitate users-space interactivity through experiential and intangible qualities.

Named “Saraab,” meaning mirage in English, this experimental bookcase invites interaction with its rotating structure, redefining what a bookcase can offer. Inspired by Charlotte Perriand’s iconic “Bibliothèque,” Al Mohannadi reinterprets bookshelf design with locally sourced polychromatic glass, creating distinct modular units that allow for flexible configurations.

The bookcase challenges traditional notions by inviting viewers to interact with its rotating structure, exploring diverse possibilities of what a bookcase can offer. Inspired by Perriand’s esteemed “Bibliothèque” — a masterpiece blending aluminium sheets and mahogany wood renowned for its harmonious integration of industrial materials with soft, rounded edges, Galyiah introduces a fresh interpretation of bookshelf craftsmanship.

Galyiah departs from conventional vertical divisions, opting for locally sourced polychromatic glass that define distinct units within the bookcase. Each unit is conceived as a space to be inhabited and is designed as a module with rotating planes to accommodate possible spatial configurations for various collections and holdings

The Waiting Chair by Stephen Amoyo

Stephen Amoyo, multidisciplinary designer designs a piece that blends Virgil Abloh’s design philosophy with Jean Prouvé’s iconic works, resulting in a striking contemporary furniture piece. The chair embodies a fusion of Prouvé ‘s silhouette and Abloh’s creative ethos, while its modular design invites ongoing contributions from future designers and the broader community.

The design ethos begins to reflect Virgil Abloh’s collaborative spirit and innovative methods and ends as a product that invites a communal approach to designing and collaborating. The Waiting Chair anticipates ongoing connections through its modular design, inviting new contributions from future designers and the broader community.

“The Waiting Chair” is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a representation of the synergy between artistic philosophy, design innovation, and a sense of homage to the classics.

WeaveO by Abdul Basit

Abdul Basit is an Interdisciplinary designer who graduated from the National College of Arts with a focus on product design. He seamlessly enjoys blending creativity and collaboration. Some of his previous experience and work include: being a finalist for Karachi Biennale 2017 open call for public space, designing shoes collection for Chevalier Golf shoe brand, and designing bespoke furniture for  a wide range of clients. He has tapped into the photography industry, through giving art directions and designing spaces for photoshoots, as well as contributing to Fuji Films’ latest camera launch.

In WeaveO, he blends traditional Sadu weaving techniques with the Dutch Art Movement, creating a distinctive design that unites past and present. This console piece reinterprets the story of Bedouin society by transforming its geometric patterns and motifs into a modern form. WeaveO captures the essence of adaptability, weaving historical influences into a contemporary narrative that redefines the craft, offering a fresh perspective and an innovative design language.

His design inspiration has been Rietveld’s Red Blue Chair. His console, titled WeaveO, unfolds as a visual narrative that delves into the historical context of Bedouin society through the contemporary lens of furniture-making.

The designer’s intent to present motifs from past experiences results in a narrative that explores the abstraction of geometries and patterns from people’s histories and their bond with weaving. The result is a piece that, while initially echoing Sadu patterns, reveals deeper layers of adaptability upon longer contemplation.

Nusj by Hammam Al Abdulla

Hammam Al Abdulla is an interior designer who has worked with FROMM and has brought to life many creative solutions. He is currently working with M7 and in his work Nusj, he draws inspiration from Marcel Breuer’s iconic Wassily Chair, which reimagined the club chair and distilled it to its essential lines and planes.

Al Abdullah redefines and incorporates local Qatari concepts in his chair, “Nusj,” meaning to weave in Arabic, with asymmetrical lines that wrap around a redefined structure, reflecting both personal and communal use.

Distilling a classical club chair to its essential lines and planes, Hammam first draws inspiration from Marcel Breuer’s iconic Wassily Chair, which revolutionised furniture design with its tubular steel and minimalist aesthetic. He then challenges the imperative to modernise it by redefining and incorporating local materials in his chair, Nusj, meaning “to weave” in Arabic.

Unlike Breuer’s exploration of stripping materiality and emphasising individuality, Hamam’s piece does the opposite. With its asymmetrical lines that wrap around a redefined structure, the approach to local material and craftsmanship reflects the design concept to present a chair for both personal use and for the settings of collective gathering and spaces of conveying and conversing.

Creative Minds Come Together

Curated by Jumanah Abbas, the exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of the creative processes behind each designer’s work. Visitors to this Zwara exhibition are invited to engage with a collection that includes research notes, sketches, material samples, and final products, showcasing the intricate journey from concept to creation. Each displayed piece offers a detailed look into modern craftsmanship and the designers’ creative processes.

The Zwara exhibition also features a special collaboration with students from the Interior Design programme at VCUarts Qatar. “Miniatures” that presents a collection of innovative furniture designs, each piece reflecting a deep exploration of materials, contemporary design trends, and manufacturing techniques. This section showcases the final prototypes of a comprehensive design process, where creativity meets craftsmanship, offering fresh perspectives on the interiors of tomorrow.

“M7 is committed to supporting emerging talent across various creative fields, offering opportunities for young professionals to be involved in the creation of Zwara. This year, emerging exhibition designer and VCUarts Qatar graduate Raneem Arafeh created the design of the exhibition, working closely with the curator and participating designers to translate the curatorial vision into an immersive spatial experience. In addition, Alanoud Al Ghamdi, a freelance photographer, captured the images for the editorial campaign, further highlighting M7’s dedication to encouraging young creatives across the design ecosystem,” explains Maha Al Sulaiti.

The exhibition will run until 18 December 2024, Saturday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, and Friday from 3:30 pm to 9 pm at M7, Floor 1, Learning Space. Admission is free.