Year of Culture connects Qatar designers with Mexican artisans

Mexico City welcomed a unique exhibition from October 8 to November 1, 2026, as part of the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. The showcase, "Visión y Tradición," took place at the National Museum of Anthropology and featured four designers from the MENASA region collaborating with Mexican master artisans.

The residency, "Crafting Design Futures," was spearheaded by Design Doha, with each pair exploring glass engraving, clay, ceramics, and hand-hammered copper. Syrian designer Kenan Alkuwatly partnered with master engraver José Cruz; Lebanese designer Shirine Sbaiti collaborated with ceramic artisans Norberto y Rosi; Yasamin Shaikhi from Qatar worked with Estudio Guerrero; and British-Indian architect and designer Armaan Bansal collaborated with Alan Pureco's family workshop.

Throughout the residency, designers engaged with the artisans to develop their work, with ideas evolving through the process of creation. Initial concepts changed as designers encountered new techniques, materials, and knowledge passed down through generations. The resulting objects not only reflected the designers' original concepts but also showcased the creative contributions of the artisans and the conversations between them.

Design Doha Director Fahad Al Obaidly emphasized that craft is a valuable form of knowledge in its own right. He noted that the residency encouraged designers to listen and allow the artisans' experience to shape their thinking and the objects themselves. In a world increasingly driven by digital tools and speed, working directly with materials and people with decades of expertise provided designers with a unique perspective on value, authorship, and collaboration.

The Year of Culture program in Doha highlighted the importance of traditional knowledge in contemporary creative practice, as Qatar continues to invest in preserving its heritage while developing its creative and design sectors.