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

illuminating contemporary forms from traditional motifs

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

all images courtesy of Joe Bou Abboud

Joe Bou Abboud pays homage to qatari craftsmanship

The collection serves as a bridge between the past and the present, with each piece reflecting the enduring allure of ancient craftsmanship while embracing the simplicity of modern design. With a background in interior architecture and product design, Joe Bou Abboud transforms these traditional designs into sleek, minimal forms that stand with an artful presence. The Medallion collection extends from the designer’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.

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.

reenvisioning Qatari jewelry through the lens of modern minimalism

Joe Bou Abboud transforms the traditional designs of these accessories into sleek, minimal forms

showcased at Doha Design Biennial’s Arab Design Now exhibition

the designer transforms everyday items them into elegant, modern artefacts

Medallion infuses a modern twist to interpretations of traditional aesthetics

project info:

name: Medallion
designer: Joe Bou Abboud

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom