Jawaher Al Qasimi Collection Enriches Sharjah's Cultural Identity Through Art And Craftsmanship

The Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Collection, initiated by a decree from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, underscores her significant contributions to decorative arts and humanitarian efforts. This museum will feature art and historical items from the personal collection of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is the Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah.

Sheikha Jawaher stated, "Museums are not just places to display collections; they are bridges that connect the past with the present and inspire coming generations to build a future grounded in cultural values and heritage. The establishment of this museum underscores the importance of preserving traditional crafts and highlighting their impact on the contemporary art scene."

The museum will be part of the newly announced Sharjah Creative Quarter, which is at the heart of Sharjah’s education and innovation landscape. This area will include various facilities such as the Qasimi Archives, Sharjah Fashion Lab, Irthi Museum, Sharjah Design Centre, and a campus of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Sheikha Jawaher also mentioned that it will serve as a platform celebrating creativity. It will enable designers and artisans to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and benefit from their ancestors' rich legacy. The aim is to inspire future generations by showcasing Islamic and Arab crafts' influence on both historical and modern arts.

The museum aims to inspire designers and artisans by highlighting Islamic and Arab crafts' profound influence on historical and contemporary arts. It will also provide access to primary sources, historical documents, and academic publications through a digital archive accessible remotely to researchers worldwide.

Additionally, it will support charitable initiatives reflecting its commitment to arts by creating a fund for emerging artists. The museum will engage in philanthropic efforts aligned with its collections. It will also host temporary exhibitions and educational programmes like live craft demonstrations in decorative arts, jewellery design, and perfume making.

Artistic Narratives Through Exhibits

"Art is more than just an aesthetic expression; they are narratives that tell the stories of communities and their cultures," Sheikha Jawaher added. By curating exquisite art pieces from around the world including fine jewellery, perfumes, rare books, and artefacts, she hopes this museum inspires further research, discovery, and creativity.

The museum's permanent collection will showcase skill and craftsmanship while serving as a venue for temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions aim to educate visitors through workshops in decorative arts fields like jewellery design and perfume making.

This initiative highlights preserving traditional crafts' importance while emphasising their impact on contemporary art scenes. By doing so, it aims to foster creativity among current artists while inspiring future generations within Sharjah Creative Quarter's integrated environment.

With inputs from WAM