Qatari Designers Exhibit 'Breathtaking' Items on Milan Design Week

The Salone del Mobile furniture fair is the centerpiece of Milan Design Week, which is the world's most prominent design event.

Shua'a Ali and Maryam Al Suwaidi's 'Shurouq' furniture collection, which has made its way to Milan Design Week, exhibited Qatar's cultural identity.

The two artists told Doha News that the collection is the result of a co-designing process and includes seven items.

The contemporary furniture, which emphasizes originality and multi-functionality, was designed by Qatari designers in partnership with FROMM and was inspired by Qatar's natural and cultural background.

In terms of aesthetics, the items are appealing, and they give Qatari heritage a global perspective. They can be used in a range of circumstances, from personal use at home to professional use.

Behind the pieces

The designers mention that the many items on the show were inspired by a variety of sources.

With the exception of the floor lamp, which was co-designed with Ellaquadro, Shua'a Ali designed the coffee table "Maiz," the side table "Tawla," the console "Derj," the wall unit "Maktaba," and the floor light "Laite." These sculptures are distinguished by the strong presence of an arch, which was inspired by the design of historic Qatari architectural buildings.

The perforated design of the products in this collection is inspired by the pigeon towers that can be found all across Qatar and the Gulf region. The old and the new are dialogue metaphors that speak the language of tradition and culture as inspirations for cultural identity preservation in the face of rapid globalization.

In conceptualizing and constructing the Sofa "Baida," armchair and pouffe "Haima," and tables "Majra," Maryam Al Suwaidi was inspired by the natural components of sand dunes and their dynamic structure.

"The Shurouq Collection evokes the sand dunes and the stunning desert backdrop, its source of inspiration for my pieces of the collection, through the curves, waves, movements, and countless features of the sand that replicate the sand," Al Suwaidi told Doha News.

"FROMM was important in assisting us in realizing our concepts and broadening our artistic aspirations to produce works that meet global standards," Al Suwaidi stated.

Milan Design Week

Milan Design Week is an annual event held in Milan, Italy. The Salone del Mobile furniture fair is the highlight of Milan Design Week, which comprises hundreds of shows and activities throughout the city's design districts.

The Salone del Mobile, the world's largest furniture expo, was held in the Fiera Milano exhibition center from June 1 to 12, as the main event of Milan Design Week.

The fair celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, with over 2,000 exhibitors, a return to its pre-pandemic splendor after being canceled in 2020, and organizers compelled to hold a scaled-down version in 2021.