Design As Memory

Maryam Al Homaid is a visionary Qatari interdisciplinary artist and Associate Professor at VCUarts Qatar, celebrated for her ability to bridge traditional Gulf crafts with cutting-edge digital technology. Often inspired by the rapid economic and social evolution of Qatar, Al Homaid’s work functions as a “cultural archive,” documenting shifts in lifestyle, language, and architecture. She is particularly renowned for her “pixel-based” textiles, where she translates contemporary graphics and typography into hand-dyed woven carpets. By embracing the “maker movement,” she creates a symbiotic relationship between high-tech expression and the preservation of heritage, ensuring regional narratives are captured for future generations

Agata Kurzela is a highly acclaimed, UAE-based architect and interior designer recognized for her quietly dramatic, research-driven spaces. After collaborating with global firms like Zaha Hadid, she founded Agata Kurzela Studio in 2020, earning a consistent spot on the Architectural Digest Top 50. Her practice masterfully pairs complex digital exploration with traditional craftsmanship, often manipulating restrained, sand-toned palettes through subversive material choices like suspended aluminum chain curtains and mild steel. Recently, her studio curated and designed the striking public interiors, hospitality spaces, and curatorial elements for the milestone Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, weaving the work of homegrown Emirati artisans directly into the architectural narrative.

Ghada Al Khater is a prominent Qatari multidisciplinary artist and “ARToonist” known for her satirical and thought-provoking commentary on social and political issues. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, she gained significant recognition for her public installation A Blessing in Disguise, a neon Arabic sign on the Doha Fire Station that became a symbol of national resilience. Her work often bridges the gap between traditional heritage and contemporary issues, utilizing humor to tackle complex themes like freedom of speech and fake news. Through international residencies and exhibitions, Al Khater continues to redefine regional art narratives.

Abdulrahman Al Muftah is an accomplished, multidisciplinary Qatari designer who masterfully bridges the gap between regional heritage and contemporary minimalism. Deeply inspired by his childhood in the traditional village of Al Wakrah, his work explores the “invisible patterns” of Qatari culture by utilizing found, locally sourced materials. Through his research-driven practice, Al Muftah elevates organic, earthly elements like wild Zekreet clay and indigenous limestone into refined, functional art and furniture. Committed to slow, sustainable creativity, his evocative designs challenge how traditional crafts evolve, capturing the profound essence of Qatar’s landscapes within modern, immersive design narratives.

Aljoud Lootah is an Emirati multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Aljoud Lootah Design Studio in Dubai, working across furniture, lighting, objects, and installations. Originally trained in graphic design at the Higher Colleges of Technology, she turned to product design after joining the Design Road Professional Programme by Tashkeel and Dubai Culture in 2012, and established her own studio in 2014. Her practice distills traditional ideas into clean, functional forms, drawing on geometry, folding techniques, and references to Emirati culture and craft. Her Oru collection, inspired by the Japanese art of origami, was acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. Named in the AD100, she is regarded as a key voice in shaping a contemporary Emirati design identity.