Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is celebrating the UAE’s success in registering the Al Talli craft on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. As part of the ongoing Sikka Art and Design Festival, the Talli House is showcasing four innovative artworks created by five Emirati female artists inspired by the traditional threads of Al Talli Craft.
One of the rooms in the Talli House features artist Sara Alkhayyal’s project, “Textile Tales – Talli Currency,” which documents the history of women in the UAE and their empowerment. Alkhayyal aimed to contemporize the traditional jalabiyah and inspire younger generations to take an interest in lesser-known cultural stories by combining textile patterns and motifs. The resulting Textile Tales – Talli Currency project showcases these designs and encourages people to learn more about their heritage. Alkhayyal’s project also inspired a limited-edition chocolate wrapper featuring Talli-inspired designs in collaboration with Mirzam.
Another artwork showcased at the Talli House is Hajer Altenaiji’s “Thoub Khediya,” a poignant tapestry design that commemorates her mother’s passing when she was young. The piece depicts her mother’s traditional Emirati thoub in heaven. Feryal Al Bastaki and Munira Almulla’s “The O-Collection – Sikka Edition” explores the fusion of contemporary furniture design with traditional crafts like Al Talli and Khoos, resulting in a stunning showcase of this amalgamation.
NAFS Culture commissioned artist Noora Taher to present “Van Gogh Thoub”: two dresses influenced by Vincent Van Gogh’s unique style and the Bu Tilla’s unmistakable dotted pattern. The project replaces the brush with Al Talli and the canvas with silk.
Visitors to the Talli House can attend interactive workshops and live artistic performances featuring Al Talli craftswomen. Dubai Culture aims to offer visitors a chance to learn about the intricate details of traditional Talli craft and production. This initiative aligns with Dubai Culture’s commitment to supporting the city’s cultural and creative industries as a key contributor to its thriving creative economy.
The 11th Sikka Art and Design Festival, Dubai Culture’s flagship event, highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage. The festival’s ongoing efforts to showcase local artists’ works and engage the community in the UAE’s rich cultural heritage highlight the government’s commitment to promoting creativity and cultural preservation. The Talli House’s artworks and workshops showcase the value of traditional crafts and inspire the younger generation to take an interest in their cultural heritage. The Talli House’s exhibitions and activities provide a unique opportunity to celebrate and preserve the UAE’s cultural heritage while promoting contemporary art and design.