Cléa Daridan, head of arts and culture at Community Jameel, is at the forefront of promoting traditional craftsmanship and empowering emerging artisans. With the recent launch of the Atelier Jameel winter exhibition in Cairo, showcasing works by graduates of the Jameel Houses of Traditional Arts, Daridan sheds light on the intersection of innovation and heritage in Islamic art. In this interview, she discusses the exhibition’s impact, Community Jameel’s mission, and the growing global significance of traditional arts.
What roles do exhibitions like Atelier Jameel’s winter event play in preserving and
promoting traditional arts in modern contexts?
Atelier Jameel is a collective of traditional craft designers and artisans, mainly composed of graduates of the Jameel Houses of Traditional Arts in Cairo and Jeddah. The Winter Exhibition featured more than 200 contemporary works of art and design, with each piece offering a glimpse into the history and heritage of Islamic art. Through the exhibition, Atelier Jameel offered graduates of the Jameel House the opportunity to showcase their work to the general public as well as offer their pieces for sale.
How does the training at Jameel Houses in Cairo, Jeddah, and Scotland prepare
graduates for a career in traditional craftsmanship?
The Jameel House of Traditional Arts in Cairo was launched in 2009 and is a collaboration between The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, Community Jameel, and the Cultural Development Fund of Egypt. With a mission to preserve and champion Egypt’s oldest crafts, the Jameel House in Cairo accepts around 20 students annually to a two-year training programme teaching classes in traditional geometry, observational drawing, colour harmony and decorative floral patterns. Students receive specialised training in ceramics, glass and gypsum, metalwork and woodwork offering them an opportunity to master and graduate in one specific craft. Developed and delivered by The King’s Foundation School according to the same principles and standards as the courses at the London campus, the Jameel House in Cairo grants students with a certificate that is recognised internationally for its excellence in teaching traditional crafts.
Can you share more details about the vision behind the upcoming Jameel House of
World Traditional Arts in Scotland?
The Jameel House of World Traditional Arts in Scotland is a new global centre for International artisans, craftspeople and students to learn and practise the traditional arts. With a year-round programme of workshops, short courses and residencies led by The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, centre will welcome students from all levels of expertise and from around the world to master practices ranging from sacred geometry and colour harmony to woodwork and gypsum carving.
To expand their support for Arab students of traditional arts, The King’s Foundation and Community Jameel also announced a new Jameel House Scholarship at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. Eligible to citizens of Arab countries and launching in 2025, the scholarship will provide financial aid to students enrolled in the various programmes at the Jameel Houses in Cairo and Scotland, the main London campus of The King’s Foundation School and future activities of the Jameel House in Jeddah.
What challenges do young artisans face today, and how does Community Jameel
address these through its initiatives?
Through the Jameel Houses in Cairo, Jeddah and Scotland, Community Jameel is committed to reinvigorating traditional Islamic arts otherwise at risk of loss. Students are very passionate about traditional arts and benefit from being part of a growing international community of artists who share skills, methods, and knowledge. In turn, alumni move on to contribute to the practice, teaching, and research around traditional arts leading to artistic and personal growth. Many of them are now part
of Atelier Jameel.
