Khalid Al Shafar Presents His Installation "The Red Sadu Carpet" at Wahat Al Jimi

Manal Saleh

Emirati artist and designer Khalid Al Shaafar, born in Dubai in 1980, is participating in the Wahat Al Jimi with his innovative art project "The Red Sadu Carpet." Al Shaafar is recognized as one of the prominent designers in the UAE, known for his ability to blend Emirati heritage with contemporary furniture design and products, offering a unique style that combines local memory with global innovation.

A Distinguished Artistic Journey

Al Shafar studied at Central Saint Martins College in London and later pursued his studies at the Center for Fine Woodworking in New Zealand. In 2010, he established his own studio, where he began to present works that celebrate Emirati craftsmanship with a contemporary spirit. His notable pieces include "The Traveler," inspired by traditional arish architecture, and "Crescent to Crescent," designed as part of the "Made of Makers" program for Jaeger-LeCoultre.

"The Red Sadu Carpet"

In "The Red Sadu Carpet," Al Shafar showcases an innovative artistic installation that combines light and brick, reinterpreting the traditional art of sadu in a contemporary style that links physical memory to the urban space. The concept is rooted in the craft of sadu, which is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, traditionally used to adorn tents and homes with embroidered wool threads.

"The Red Sadu Carpet" extends over a 70-meter path within a historic building, where sadu patterns transform into a regular geometric network that reflects the rhythm of traditional weaving in a modern visual language. Al Shafar embodies sadu as both a symbol and a language, connecting the hand that once wove it to the city that today pulses with a contemporary rhythm.

Dialogue Between Past and Present

This work opens a dialogue between the past and present, between brick and light, where one gives shape and texture while the other keeps the spirit of sadu alive in the extending fabric. On this carpet, visitors can walk slowly and contemplate how the rhythm flows with their steps, leading them to a glow reminiscent of the warmth of threads that hold the memory of the hand.

Khalid Al Shafar advances this unique artistic initiative, enhancing the values of heritage and culture in our community, and hopes to inspire many to explore the beauty found within our traditions.