Latest news with #LiwanDesignStudiosandLabs
Qatar Tribune
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Museums to launch new Ceramic Residency Project in August
Building on the legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, Qatar Museums will launch a new Ceramic Residency Project, in collaboration with Liwan Design Studios and Labs, which will run from August 4 to September 7. Promoting cultural exchange and creative dialogue between Qatar and Indonesia, the Ceramic Residency will embody the spirit of friendship and artistic dialogue that the Years of Culture programme champions. By bringing communities together through craft and collaboration, the project will reinforce the enduring legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and its commitment to building connections that extend far beyond a single year. The programme will welcome renowned Indonesian ceramic artist Francisca, widely known as "Kika", who is recognized for blending contemporary forms with a strong sense of community. It will see Kika working side by side with local artists and craftspeople to develop a series of collaborative ceramic works inspired by the craft legacies of both Qatar and Indonesia. A core part of this new project is public engagement, with weekly Pottery Fun Classes welcoming community members to learn directly from Kika every Friday — on August 8, 15, 22, 29 and September 5. Participants will explore hand-building and pottery wheel techniques while contributing to the creation of works that celebrate the cultural connections at the heart of this residency. The residency will conclude with a group exhibition, celebrating the artworks created and the stories shared throughout this cultural exchange. Kika previously led the popular Indonesian Workshop Month in Qatar during the 2023 Year of Culture, where she invited participants to sculpt their own creations and discover new ceramic-making techniques. Her interactive, inclusive approach demystifies traditional craft and welcomes the public to connect with clay as a medium for storytelling and cultural exchange.
Qatar Tribune
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's YoC initiative extends Qatar-Indonesia cultural ties through Ceramic Residency
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar's Years of Culture initiative is set to build on the legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture (YoC) with the launch of a new Ceramic Residency Project, welcoming renowned Indonesian ceramic artist Francisca 'Kika' to Doha this August. Hosted in collaboration with Liwan Design Studios and Labs, the residency continues to promote cultural exchange and creative dialogue between Qatar and Indonesia, featuring the shared values of craftsmanship, community and artistic innovation. Running from August 4 to September 7, 2025, the programme will see Kika working side by side with local artists and craftspeople to develop a series of collaborative ceramic works inspired by the craft legacies of both Qatar and Indonesia. Francisca, widely known as Kika, is an Indonesian ceramicist recognised for blending contemporary forms with a strong sense of community. She previously led the popular Indonesian Workshop Month in Qatar during the 2023 Year of Culture, where she invited participants to sculpt their own creations and discover new ceramic-making techniques. Her interactive, inclusive approach demystifies traditional craft and welcomes the public to connect with clay as a medium for storytelling and cultural exchange. A core part of this new project is public engagement, with weekly Pottery Fun Classes welcoming community members to learn directly from Kika every Friday — on August 8, 15, 22, 29 and September 5. Participants will explore hand-building and pottery wheel techniques while contributing to the creation of works that celebrate the cultural connections at the heart of this residency. The Ceramic Residency embodies the spirit of friendship and artistic dialogue that the Years of Culture programme champions. By bringing communities together through craft and collaboration, the project reinforces the enduring legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and its commitment to building connections that extend far beyond a single year. The residency will conclude with a group exhibition, celebrating the artworks created and the stories shared throughout this cultural ceramic artist brings cross-cultural craft and community workshops to Doha
Qatar Tribune
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Liwan Design Studios and Labs launches new craft residency program
Tribune News Network Doha Liwan Design Studios and Labs has announced the launch of the Liwan Craft Residency, a six-month programme dedicated to designers and craftspeople based in Doha, Qatar. Beginning in June 2025, the residency will provide six selected local designers with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Qatar's vibrant design ecosystem, engage deeply with its cultural and creative fabric, and collaborate with skilled artisans and manufacturers. 'The Liwan Craft Residency represents our commitment to nurturing Qatar's design talent while honouring our cultural heritage,' said Aisha Nasser Alsowaidi, director of Liwan Design Studios and Labs. 'Through this programme, we aim to create a space where tradition and innovation converge, enabling designers to develop work that is both locally rooted and globally relevant.' With the theme 'Future Traditions and the New Authentic,' the residency challenges designers to reimagine traditional craft and cultural narratives for contemporary contexts. Participants will explore how Qatar's rapid modernization can coexist with its deep-rooted heritage, creating a unique space for creative exploration that honours the past while shaping the future. The residency's conceptual focus, 'Reimagining the Oasis: Our Design Ecosystem,' invites designers to examine the oasis beyond its environmental function—as a metaphor for cultural continuity, community resilience, and resourcefulness. Throughout history, oases have been essential to survival in Qatar's desert environment, serving as vital trade and cultural hubs that fostered exchanges between nomadic tribes and merchants. Participants will investigate the oasis as a design principle by exploring its tangible and intangible aspects: Resourcefulness & Sustainability: How traditional oasis techniques such as passive cooling, water conservation, and biodiversity can inform modern design solutions Cultural & Social Spaces: How the concept of the oasis can inspire contemporary gathering spaces that foster community and creativity Symbolism & Materiality: How materials, colours, and textures associated with oases can be reinterpreted in furniture, product design, or digital experiences Designers are encouraged to explore how traditional Qatari crafts such as weaving, pottery, metalwork, and glasswork can be adapted for modern use, while investigating the intersection of heritage and innovation—examining how emerging technologies like AI, digital fabrication, and sustainable practices can enhance traditional craft methodologies. They are also invited to contemplate the evolving meaning of authenticity in their work, focusing on creating designs that remain locally rooted in Qatari cultural traditions yet possess international resonance and contemporary relevance. The comprehensive programme includes mentorship sessions with experienced designers, curators, and industry professionals; hands-on craft workshops with Doha-based artisans; community engagement through public workshops; and collaborative opportunities with local factories and craftspeople. Each selected designer will receive a dedicated studio space at Liwan and a budget of QAR 40,000 to cover material and production costs. The residency will culminate in a major exhibition at the second edition of the Doha Design Biennale in April 2026, showcasing the participants' work and positioning them within Qatar's growing creative scene. The Liwan Craft Residency is open to designers and craftspeople based in Doha with a strong background in product design, craft, or interdisciplinary design practices. Only six participants will be selected for this residency. For more information and to submit applications, please visit:
