Designed by Maryam Omar, these three prayer carpets are inspired by the geometries and colours of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Hand-woven in silk in Acha in northern Afghanistan, they take an individual woman weaver many months to make.
Maryam is a British Afghan artist and designer, working alongside carpet weaving communities in Afghanistan and has great skill and knowledge of different weaving techniques. She draws profound inspiration from Hijrah as a guiding example through difficult times and in her process as an artist. She returned to Kabul in 2012 after studying at the London College of Fashion. In 2015 she started working for the Turquoise Mountain Trust and is now Head of Design and Sales at the organisation’s Institute of Arts in Kabul.
Maryam Omar
Maryam is a British Afghan artist and designer
In order to get the design and theme compatible with one another, I started my research from the maps and illustrations that were available in the city of Mecca, Medina and its surroundings.
Women weavers of the Kerki Producer Group in Acha.
Women weaving.
Silk prayer rugs
Maryam Omar
Maryam is a British Afghan artist and designer
These maps and designs are taken from the old pieces of cloth that are available in the region and are in museums and maps on the walls or windows, especially in the mosques of these two cities.
More on the Turquoise Mountain's virtual exhibition below:
Discover the prayer rugs that fusion historical knowledge and local skills from transnational travels. Find out about the ancient technique of stone carving, the iconic Islamic geometric art of carved mosque doors, and the divinely inspired art of calligraphic panels. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn about the lost art of wood mosaic carving in the wooden minbar and the Quran stands.
