Irthi participates in first-ever NOMAD event

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi), established under the patronage and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, participated in the debut UAE edition of NOMAD, took place in Abu Dhabi from Nov.19–22.

As part of its mission to empower women artisans across the UAE and the wider region, Irthi took part in a key panel discussion on Thursday and showcased works from the Irthi x Ricardo Rendón series throughout the four-day programme.

Reem BinKaram, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, said Irthi’s presence at NOMAD reflects a deliberate effort to put Emirati crafts and heritage on the global design map while showcasing their skill and creativity.

She added: “Irthi empowers craftswomen with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to carry our heritage forward with confidence. These crafts are central to our cultural identity, and by placing artisans at the core of the council’s strategy, we ensure our heritage and crafts continue to evolve through designs that speak to contemporary audiences while remaining rooted in tradition.

During Thursday’s panel titled “Practices of place: Designing from the land,” Reem Almazrouei, Acting Manager of the Curation & Design Department at Irthi, joined curator and artistic director Arnaud Morand, Sara Farha and Khalid Shalkha from Datecrete Studio and Lab, and artist Talin Hazbar in a discussion on how material culture, natural landscapes, and local knowledge shape the craft and design disciplines.

Moderated by Morand, the panel asked speakers to define what “designing from the land” means within their practice. Reem Almazrouei responded: “We look at the land [of the UAE] as an archive from which we develop our techniques and materials; it’s a whole ecosystem. It’s also where our craftsmen and craftswomen come from; so the land is our resource and responsibility.”

She highlighted how Sharjah’s craftswomen, supported by Irthi’s programmes, have transformed heritage techniques into motifs, products, international collaborations, and exhibitions that speak to contemporary audiences. Artisans, she said, form the foundation of the crafts ecosystem. “They are always present, always credited, always consulted, and everything is documented in every endeavour, project, and event showcasing their work.”