Blending traditional art and architecture with the contemporary concept of design, Bachir Mohamad has come up with a novel notion of interior design that resonates with the local culture. His art pieces, a mix of Arabic calligraphy and Moghul-era miniatures, carry immense creative value while the mixed media furniture pieces are equally valuable as applied art collectibles.
Within the framework to support cultural diversity and creativity in Qatar and under the patronage of Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, the General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, Bluribbon Design Atelier has put up ‘Tafaseel’, an art and design showcase at Katara Art Center in Katara Cultural Village.
Tafaseel, meaning details in Arabic, features the artistic design and impressions of artist Mohamad. The showcase exhibits two collections of art and design produced by Mohamad.
The first collection, namely Bluline, introduces eleven exclusive and diverse designs of furniture archetypes and prototypes, reflecting details of the local architecture and lifestyle, as well as different aspects of the Arabic calligraphy. All fabrics and textiles used to cover this collection’s furniture pieces are selected in affiliation with ETRO Milano, which is exclusively available in Qatar at Bluribbon Design Atelier.
The second collection represents seven pieces of mixed media artworks (2014-15), inspired by the medieval times of the Islamic world. This art collection embodies a series of desires of an untitled caliph through colours, calligraphy and miniatures.
“The first furniture collection under the name of Bluline is inspired by the local Qatari art and culture and lifestyle. You can see the Kufic calligraphy, the abstract, the facades of the palaces, the interiors of places like the majlis, the mosques and others,” Mohamad tells Community in an interview at the opening of his exhibition here.
“It is also inspired by the Arabic calligraphy. For example, there are patterns that you would find on the interiors and exteriors of the old buildings,” he adds.
The other collection of artwork is inspired by the Moghul Indian period. Mohamad used the original silk miniatures along with the Arabic calligraphy and the paintings. It is titled Untitled Caliph and all the seven pieces represent the seven desires of life, each one representing one desire in different colours.
The calligraphy, the paintings are done by Mohamad himself while the miniatures are the antiques that he purchased and used them as part of the mixture in these mixed media pieces.
“The first collection is an applied art collection. You can use it as a piece of art or you can apply it for your daily use. These can be used as lounge pieces, for majlis, living area or saloon but it is like a piece of art like sculpture. These are collectables and they are useable as well,” says the artist.
Mohamad studied interior design and holds a master’s in Islamic Archeology. “I am mixing art and archaeology in a way. I work as a full time interior designer and this is my first solo exhibition which is a mixture between art and archaeology,” says Mohamad.
He did a master’s in 2014 from University College of London (UCL) here in Qatar. However, he has been an interior designer since 2006. Through bluline, he says, he wants to explore the cultural diversity of the heritage itself.
“Over here, you can see the reflection of Qatari culture and the details of their architecture and local lifestyle. The same thing can be applied to other countries with a different culture,” Mohamad points to pieces of furniture on display.
“For example, I can reflect the details from the Moroccan architecture and art through the Moroccan lifestyle. I can do it in Lebanon, India, Egypt, or other countries as well,” says the artist. It is a line of furniture, he adds, that can be utilised by any one and not just the art collectors or high-end clients. Any person can utilise it anywhere in the world and it reflects the cultural diversity of that place.
“This is a collectible piece. The collection box comes with it and you can actually put coins in it. It is says the Qatari word for bank, Hasala,” Mohamad explains while he points to a furniture piece that is accompanied by other accessories.
The exhibition runs till May 20, at building 5, KAC.
Artist Bachir Mohamad says he wants to explore cultural diversity through art. Right: VESTIGES FROM THE PAST: Artist Bachir Mohamad says his line of furniture Bluline is both applicable in daily life and has artistic value as collectible. Photos by Umer Nangiana
