Benchellal: Monumental 'sculpting past tomorrow' opens at NMoQ

Year of Cultures presents Benchellal: Monumental "sculpting past tomorrow," the first solo museum exhibition dedicated to the work of Moroccan-Dutch designer Mohamed Benchellal.Presented at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), the exhibition features a new collection of couture dresses designed and crafted during the designer’s Artist Residency at Liwan Design Studios and Labs and inspired by the landscape of Qatar.The exhibition highlights Benchellal’s craftsmanship and innovative designs, as well as his dedication to sustainability and slow fashion.On view until January 18, 2025 at Gallery 13 at NMoQ, the exhibition presents Benchellal's exquisite couture as monumental works of art, thoughtfully juxtaposed against the architectural marvels of Qatar that inspired them.Best known for exceptional draping and use of sustainable materials, Benchellal's garments reflect the harmony between craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.Curator Al Shaima Ayoub said: "Over the past decade, Arab fashion design has thrived in the region with institutions like Fashion Trust Arabia and the Arab Fashion Council uplifting and supporting talent in the region and its diaspora. Benchellal’s work represents an important milestone and a valuable addition to the history of our exhibitions, adding to the legacy of fashion in the Arab world.”Benchellal’s journey with Qatar began in 2021 when he won the Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) Award, subsequently embarking on his transformative Artist Residency at Liwan. The collection presented at NMoQ embodies his distinctive fusion of futuristic Middle Eastern aesthetics and traditional couture.Reflecting on the significance of the exhibition, Benchellal said: "This exhibition marks a major milestone in my career. It was just two years ago that I received the FTA award presented by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the museum, and it is an honour to return with my first-ever museum presentation. The exhibition is my tribute to the region—a celebration and ode to its forward-looking vision, its culture, and its place in the world of fashion.”