Presented "Reclamation" at the International Biennale in Paris

Sheikha Al-Ali, an Emirati woman who turns desert sands into modern designs

• Sheikha confirmed that implementing her designs is the most difficult part of her job.

  From the source

• Sheikha was inspired by “reclamation” from the fossil dunes reserve in the Al Wathba area in Abu Dhabi.

  From the source

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From the vocabulary of the authentic Emirati heritage, the Emirati creator Sheikha Al-Ali is inspired by her designs, which combine traditional crafts on the one hand, and modern touches on the other, using non-traditional materials in her innovations that address those looking for unique pieces.

Sheikha said that her work aims to present the Emirati heritage with her own vision, and to familiarize the public with it. That is why she launched her “Studio Story” project in 2017, to tell, through its products that combine ancient and modern, stories about life in the Emirates, and its wonderful nature and heritage. Aseel, adding in her interview with “Emirates Today”: “I am interested in preserving the spirit of traditional crafts, and at the same time I am seeking to employ it to create a new and different work from what is prevalent or known, such as the (dub) shoe, whose design was inspired by the sand dunes that characterize the Emirates desert. And the region, and is characterized by high transparent heels, containing sand from the Dubai desert, an expression of the Bedouin identity.”

She explained that the success achieved by "Kuthb" prompted her to submit five designs of it.

Others were also made different and unfamiliar to the traditional cloak.

Sheikha's products were not limited to shoes and fashion only, as she presented distinctive pieces, such as a photo frame with sand from the desert, incense smokestacks made of pure travertine and brass, as well as bags that combine traditional Japanese culture and henna inscriptions painted in the traditional Emirati way.

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Sheikha Al-Ali, who studied design and marketing, and also joined the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, expressed her pride in being part of the participation of the House of Craftsmen, of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, in the activities of the fifth edition of the International Biennale of Art and Craft Professions, in Paris 2022. It was organized in the Grand Palais Ifemere showroom in the French capital, Paris, from the ninth to the 12th of this June. It is formed from calcium carbonate deposits to form over many years impressive rock carvings.

The design combines pottery and traditional sauveh art with camel hides.

Sheikha pointed out that she used female craftsmen from the city of Al Ain to implement the design idea with these different materials, which was not an easy task. The Emirati, in addition to its participation in the permanent exhibition at the House of Craftsmen, designed a shoe called “Crossing the Coasts”, inspired by the traditional marine arts and gargoor fishing, and used oysters collected from the various emirates of the country in its manufacture.

Combine the old with the new

Sheikha Al-Ali considered that her tendency to designs that combine traditional crafts and modernity, does not limit her freedom to design and implement pieces, but rather this combination helps her to present different and uncommon works, especially as it is directed to those who wish to acquire exotic and unique pieces.

She added: "My interest in heritage represents an element of distinction in my designs, because from the beginning I seek to present unique pieces that suit the taste of those who love and appreciate difference, but at the same time, implementing the designs that I put is the most difficult part in my work, because it is based on the combination of different materials, and I must That this be done by skilled craftsmen, for example, it took me a year to implement a shoe design (closely), and I am experimenting to achieve it, exactly as I wish.”

Difficulties..it is normal

about the difficulties she encounters in her work;

The designer, Sheikha Al-Ali, said that the obstacles that a person encounters is normal in all areas of work, and that she has learned to benefit from her mistakes and use them as a tool for self-development.

Her ambitions are to open a studio to sell her products, and actually deal with her customers instead of relying entirely on e-marketing.

Sheikha Al-Ali:

"My interest in heritage is an element of distinction in my designs, because I strive from the beginning to present unique pieces that suit the taste of those who appreciate difference."

"I am interested in preserving the spirit of traditional crafts, and at the same time I seek to employ it to create new work that is different from what is prevalent or known."

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