Irthi participates in first-ever NOMAD event in UAE

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 is showcasing 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.

Exploring heritage as a driver of design

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.”

Reem Almazrouei also mentioned a major milestone for the sector: the upcoming Irthi Museum, set to open in 2029 in Sharjah Creative Quarter. The museum will be a regional hub for creators, makers, researchers, artists, and artisans, building on the Council’s growing portfolio of initiatives—such as the scaling up of Design Labs—and affirming the practices and standards that will guide both the museum’s collections and the Council’s broader projects.

Workshops and exhibits highlight craft innovation

Irthi is also leading hands-on workshops where participants can craft Talli leather keychains and design Safeefah bookmarks, showcasing traditional techniques adapted for everyday contemporary objects, led by Amal Ismail and Alya Al Ali from Irthi.

Furthermore, the council is showcasing selected works from the Tilad Collection by Mexican artist Ricardo Rendón, created in collaboration with Emirati craftswomen.

Irthi celebrates a major milestone this year, supported by a broad network of artisans from the UAE, the wider region, and beyond, who benefit from its vocational training, upskilling initiatives, and market-access programmes. Sharjah has also been recognised by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Crafts and Folk Art for its excellence in Talli craftsmanship—an honour that reflects Irthi’s ongoing commitment to preserving and advancing traditional crafts.