Director General of Kuwait Sadu Association stresses importance of participation in 'Doha Design Biennale 2026' - Sarmad

(KUNA) – Sheikh Bibi Duaij Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwaiti Sadu Artisans Association, emphasized on Saturday the importance of participating in the second edition of the Doha Design Biennale 2026 through the artistic work “Sadu Muqarnas,” which embodies a creative convergence between Kuwaiti heritage crafts and Islamic architectural arts.

Sheikh Bibi Al-Sabah told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the association’s participation in this cultural and design event, held in Qatar, stems from its commitment to showcasing Kuwaiti heritage through a contemporary vision that keeps pace with developments in art and design, opening new horizons for traditional crafts to engage with the global cultural landscape.

She added that the artistic work “Sadu Muqarnas” by Kuwaiti artist and architect Ghadeer Mohammed “represents a creative experience that draws inspiration from the aesthetics of Kuwaiti Sadu weaving and reinterprets it through the art of Muqarnas in Islamic architecture, reflecting the deep relationship between heritage and innovation.”

She clarified that the work features a dome inspired by Muqarnas geometry, adorned with patterns and motifs derived from Sadu, allowing visitors to enter its space and interact with its elements in an experience that blends artistic, architectural, and cultural dimensions.

Sheikh Bibi Al-Sabah noted that “this experience goes beyond merely evoking traditional patterns as aesthetic elements; it seeks to highlight the cultural values, historical memory, and national identity embedded in Sadu within Kuwaiti society.”

In this regard, she affirmed that the Sadu Artisans Association continues, through the “Sadu for Art and Design Initiative,” to support and encourage Kuwaiti artists and designers to draw inspiration from heritage crafts and develop them using modern creative approaches that enhance the presence of Kuwaiti culture on international platforms.

She also pointed out that participation in the Doha Design Biennale offers a valuable opportunity to connect with global artistic experiences and exchange expertise and ideas in design, crafts, and contemporary arts, while highlighting Kuwaiti heritage’s capacity for renewal and continuity across generations.

In the same context, Sheikh Bibi Al-Sabah stressed that Sadu “represents one of the most prominent components of Kuwait’s cultural identity” and emphasized the importance of preserving this legacy and presenting it to new generations through innovative methods that align with the times while maintaining its authenticity and values.

She expressed the Sadu Artisans Association’s pride in participating in this event, reaffirming the association’s ongoing efforts to support artisans and creators and to strengthen the presence of Sadu in the local and international cultural and design landscape.

Qatar Museums had previously announced the events of the expanded second edition of the Doha Design Biennale 2026 exhibitions program in the capital, Doha, running from November 5 to January 31.

The Biennale will feature a wide-ranging exhibition program comprising more than 15 exhibitions and major public art commissions, alongside a rich schedule of activities. The 2026 edition will be hosted in Fereej Al-Ahmadi, one of Doha’s most prominent heritage districts.

The Kuwaiti Sadu Artisans Association works to preserve, promote, and transmit Kuwaiti weaving heritage to future generations, from Bedouin Sadu weaving to urban textile arts. Based at the Sadu House, the association combines documentation, research, education, and cultural activities, encouraging artists and designers to draw inspiration from this heritage and offer contemporary interpretations.

In 2016, it launched the Sadu for Art and Design (SADI) initiative, the first residency of its kind in Kuwait, allowing participants to delve deeply into the art of Sadu and explore its artistic and design potential.