Naqsh Collective

Naqsh Collective is a design and art practice founded in Amman in 2009 by two sisters, Nisreen and Nermeen Abu Dail. The name means engraving — the first form of art a human makes to leave a print — and it describes the method: traditional Arabic shapes, meanings and compositions re-read through contemporary design and finished by hand with local craftsmen.

Nisreen trained as an architect at the Jordan University of Science and Technology and came to furniture, jewellery and art pieces through the discipline; Nermeen studied graphics and works in branding from Dubai. Together they make collectible design in which embroidery, stone and wood carry the visual language of the region, shown at Milan Design Week, Amman Design Week, Design Days Dubai, Saudi Design Week and Venice Design 2018. In 2018 the collective was shortlisted for the Jameel Prize 5.