joe bou abboud’s medallion light captures geometric splendour of traditional qatari jewelry

inspired by the timelessness of arab jewelry, the works transform symmetrical metal structures into an ambient dance of light and shadow.

Jo Bou Abboud edited by ravail khan March 11, 2024 3 min

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illuminating contemporary forms from traditional motifs

Joe Bou Abboud’s contemporary lighting collection, Medallion, is a tribute to the geometric splendour of traditional Qatari jewelry, now re-envisioned through the lens of modern minimalism. Each of the sculptural fixtures showcased at the inaugural Doha Design Biennial in Qatar serve as a reminder of the past, reflecting the intricate patterns and enduring allure of regional ancient craftsmanship. Inspired by the forms, materiality, and elegance of Arab jewelry, these lighting pieces transform symmetrical metal structures into an ambient dance of brightness and shadow — infusing a modern twist to interpretations of traditional aesthetics.

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 4 — all images courtesy of Joe Bou Abboud

Joe Bou Abboud pays homage to qatari craftsmanship

The Medallion collection extends from the Joe Bou Abboud’s continual explorations of everyday items, transforming them into elegant, modern artefacts that resonate with the history and culture of Qatar and the wider Arab region. With a background in interior architecture and product design, the designer draws on these traditional designs and their ancient craftsmanship to imagine their spatial counterparts — sleek, minimal, and luminous forms that stand with an artful presence.

Medallion was unveiled at Doha Design Biennial’s headline exhibition Arab Design Now, curated by Rana Beiruti. On view at M7 in Doha’s creative district Msheireb, the biennial directed by Glenn Adamson and Deputy Director Fahad AlObaidly runs from February through to August 2024, presenting a multidisciplinary survey of design by local and regional creators, together exploring themes such as cultural expression, architectural and material innovation, contemporary crafts, and environmental sensibility.

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 5 — reenvisioning Qatari jewelry through the lens of modern minimalism

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 8 — Joe Bou Abboud transforms the traditional designs of these accessories into sleek, minimal forms

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 7 — showcased at Doha Design Biennial’s Arab Design Now exhibition

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 6 — the designer transforms everyday items them into elegant, modern artefacts

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 2 — Medallion infuses a modern twist to interpretations of traditional aesthetics

medaillon at arab design now design doha biennial 3

medallion-jou-bou-abboud-design-doha-biennial-designboom-1

project info:

name: Medallion
designer: Joe Bou Abboud

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