The Sadu Weaving Association of Kuwait participated in the 2026 Doha Design Biennale with the art piece 'Sadu Muqarnas'. This installation was designed by Ghadeer Mohammed, a Kuwaiti artist and architect. Sheikha Al-Taf Salim Al-Ali Al-Sabah, honorary president and supporter of the association, and Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, president of the association, attended the event.
Conceptualization and Inspiration from Sadu Heritage
The Sadu Weaving Association stated that the idea for this work stemmed from Mohammed's involvement in the Sadu Art and Design Initiative (SADI). This program was launched in 2016 as the first art residency in Kuwait to encourage artists and designers to engage with Sadu heritage.
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Combining Sadu Geometry and Islamic Architecture
This art installation connects the geometry of traditional Sadu weaving with Islamic muqarnas architecture. The installation, shaped like a dome modeled in muqarnas style, features patterns from Sadu motifs on its surface. Visitors can enter the dome and move within it.
The statement also noted that Mohammed, instead of merely borrowing patterns as decoration, explored the order, repetition, and rhythm upon which Sadu weaving is based. She recreated these relationships in three dimensions to transition Sadu from a woven surface to a space that envelops the visitor, revealing new aspects of its structure and symbols with changes in perspective.
This work was presented with the support of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters and the Gulf Insurance Group. The Doha Design Biennale, which is the second expanded edition of this event, will take place from November 5 to January 31 in the Msheireb area, one of the most famous heritage neighborhoods in Doha. The event includes over 15 exhibitions, large public art missions, and a full program of activities.
The Sadu Weaving Association, based in the House of Sadu, is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and transmitting Kuwait's weaving heritage, from primitive Sadu weaving to urban weaving arts. The association's activities include documentation, research, education, and cultural activities, encouraging artists and designers to interpret the heritage in contemporary ways.
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