Doha:Liwan Design Studios and Labs has announced a new ceramics residency in collaboration with the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) and the Qatar Fashion and Crafts Council (QFCC). This initiative aims to connect Qatari creatives with Uzbek ceramic traditions through a series of workshops and cultural exchanges.

According to Qatar News Agency, the program will host renowned Uzbek clay masters from the Rahimov family in Doha. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops and collaborative production, working alongside these masters to create ceramic pieces that blend Qatari and Uzbek styles, glazes, and surface decorations. The residency provides an opportunity for participants to enhance their technical skills and explore new approaches to contemporary ceramics.

Liwan's Clay Lab will be the hub for design and production throughout the residency, supported by clay resident Noora Al Melhim. Participants will use locally sourced clays, drawing inspiration from Qatar's natural landscapes, and test these materials against the techniques shared by the visiting Uzbek masters.

Aisha Nasser Al Sowaidi, Director of Liwan Design Studios and Labs, emphasized the importance of hands-on learning with masters in ceramics. Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, highlighted the enduring nature of Uzbekistan's craft traditions, as represented by the Rahimov family, who continue to innovate while preserving inherited knowledge.

The residency will feature eight participating practitioners Neslihan Kiraz Tepe, Fatima Javed Shiekh, Soraya Sus, Ewa Merchel, Hatice Cosar, Hifa AlKhuzai, Hameed Al Qahtani, and Faisal Haman Adama.