‘Al Matwa’ or المطوى is an homage to the traditional Middle Eastern bedding stack. The installation recreated this long-lost domestic feature by stacking wool stuffed blankets and pillows inside a niche. The bedding niche is a feature in vernacular Middle Eastern architecture. The blankets were hand upholstered using the traditional techniques, following the original design featuring the quilted raw cotton border and bright satin center. The wool stuffing is Jordanian Awassi sheep’s wool which was hand processed by Bedouins in Jordan. Al Matwa measures 280 x 120 x 55 cm and is currently exhibited at Design Doha Biennale, part of the ‘Arab Design Now’ exhibition curated by Rana Beiruti. The exhibition runs from February 24 to August 5, 2024 at M7 – Qatar Museums in Doha, Qatar. ‘Al Matwa’ is a collaboration between Ishraq Zraikat and Jordanian architect and artist Tasneem Zraikat.
