Artist, designer, and business owner Amani AlThuwaini seeks to explore the ways in which historical symbolism can, or cannot, represent people’s lives today. From Kuwaiti and Ukrainian descent, Amani questions the appropriation of heritage practices, like traditional Kuwaiti Sadu weaving or dowry vessels, to convey relevant meaning to everyday lives today through her tufted, woven, embroidered, and built works. Her works “SUR.RE/VIVAL,” “STAGED,” and “Luxury Sufra” tell stories that are at once familiar and prodding, capturing everyday experiences in a new light.
AGSIW spoke to Amani, who is represented by female-centered and Gulf-focused contemporary art gallery Hunna, about her dual heritage, dowry vessel design firm Dazzalab, and exploration of different artistic mediums to portray themes like childhood, heritage, and consumerism.
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