Qatar Morocco - Crafting Design Futures

The residency offered a first-hand experience for participants to learn from expert artisans and craftspeople in each country. The Moroccan artists participated in a two-week research residency in Qatar at the Liwan Design Studios & Labs and Torba Farm, immersing themselves in the local culture and traditions. Participants from Qatar, in turn, traveled to Morocco, visiting studios and artisan schools in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fes to gain insights and inspiration from the rich Moroccan craft traditions.

Based in Qatar, designers Nada Elkharashi, Reema Abu Hassan, Majdulin Nassrallah, and Abdulrahman Al Muftah interpreted the traditional Moroccan craft-making skills learned during the exchange program to design multifunctional installations, create modern functional products and artistic displays, and draw attention to urgent cultural narratives. 

In Morocco, Amine Asselman, Bouchra Boudoua, Amine El Gotaibi, Hamza Kadiri, and Sara Ouhaddou focused on textiles, earthworks, wood craftsmanship, ceramic and glass installations, and pottery.