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Style Meets Steel: Fatma Al Shebani Creates a Unique Visual Language through Brilliant Metalworking

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The materials artists employ in their work often carry with them as much meaning as the content of the works themselves. For Fatma Al Shebani, accomplished Qatari artist well known for her use of strong materials such as bronze, resin, iron, and stainless steel, this could not be more true.

The people of Qatar have witnessed transformations in recent decades like few societies  in history have. The social fabric of the country, as well as the urban landscape of its major metropolitan centar, Doha, have experienced dramatic change resulting from the discovery of oil less than a century ago, which pushed the national economy away from a declining pearl trade and set it on track to eventually boast one of the highest standards on living in the world. From its position as a relative backwater situated on the western shores of the Persian Gulf, to a thriving economy growing in the shadows of towering steel skyscrapers, Qatar has been, and in many ways remains, a society in transition.

Doha is a city characterized by its architectural diversity, and yet the broad range of stylistic approaches stand united through common visual elements and motifs that draw from Qatar’s rich national history. The same could be said of Al Shebani’s work, which exhibits a wide breadth of subject matter that nevertheless remains largely tied together through her choice of strong materials and commitment to drawing inspiration from Qatari history and culture. Indeed, through the use of various metals, Al Shebani has succeeded in creating a body of work that compliments the city’s architectural vernacular.

Her use of bronze, iron, and steel imbues a sense of both permanence and strength into her projects. These materials act to bolster the strength of her visual storytelling represented in the pieces themselves. Steel, the technology that first allowed for the development of contemporary urban skylines, carries with it certain notions of modernity in its application to her art. The subjects Al Shebani illustrates in her metal working, however, find inspiration in cultural motifs of times past. Specifically, she draws from her own personal memories to conjure up imagery that reflects traditional Qatari culture, often in forms reminiscent of conventional modes of dress. This idea becomes apparent in the many iterations of her ‘Bokhnaq’ and ‘Batoula’ series. In conjunction with one another, her choice of subject and material work to bring the lessons of the past forward into an ever modernizing, ever changing cultural context.

Like many of the architects who have aimed to preserve Qatar’s history in their construction of buildings that in many ways must, by virtue of their purpose and scale, break with tradition, Al Shebani often elects to immortalize elements of Doha’s surrounding marine and land environments in her work, casting them in beautiful relief. This is perhaps most clearly seen in Al Adiyat 9, which depicts horses, an important feature of Qatari history, in stunning motion, as well as her reliefs illustrating the sacred marine life of Qatar’s offshore reefs.

Doha has become, in many ways, a city of steel clinging purposefully to its roots. Architects have devised a myriad of creative tactics to embrace change while still acting to preserve traditional Qatari values and style. Al Shebani’s work then functions as the perfect compliment to the city’s dynamic urban landscape. She has expertly managed to marry the old and the new, the traditional and the modern, to establish a visual language that reflects this culturally rich nation’s ever changing ethos.

For more information about Fatma Al Shebani and her work, visit: https://www.fatmaalshebani.com/ 

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Lifestyle

Gutiérrez F Studio Masters the Art of Unforgettable Events

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Photo Credit: Gutiérrez F Studio

Byline: Katreen David

Every great love story deserves a walk down the aisle straight out of a fairytale. From the conceptualization to the perfect centerpiece, boutique event planning companies like Gutiérrez F Studio can puzzle the details together to craft an event that tells the bride and groom’s story. 

Today, where wedding ideas are beautiful yet veer toward feeling recycled, Gutiérrez F Studio imparts a sense of uniqueness, identity, and human connection to every event it brings to life. 

“Everyone has access to the same Pinterest boards, but our mission is to create events that are truly unique. We aim to make every detail tell a part of our clients’ stories,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez, the founder and lead creative of Gutiérrez F Studio.

Knot Your Average I Do: Crafting Experiences

From the very first consultation, it is clear that the Mexico-based event studio is anything but run-of-the-mill. Each project is a culmination of a deeply personal journey, guided by a commitment to crafting experiences that are both visually elegant and emotionally reverberant.

At Gutiérrez F Studio, the magic of a well-crafted event is not just about grand visuals; it is about creating experiences that age gracefully into core memories over time. 

The nuptials designed by Gutiérrez F Studio are out to resonate deeply with the people they celebrate. As a full-service event design and production studio, Gutiérrez F Studio specializes in transforming visions into reality through custom architectural design and art. It comprises a team of warm, reliable, and innovative creatives.

What truly speaks volumes about its signature brand is the dedication to delivering seamless, end-to-end service that covers every aspect of the event. The team meticulously plans and manages every detail, collaborating exclusively with top-tier suppliers for quality that is second to none. This encompasses aspects that engage all the senses, such as top-tier audiovisual elements and menus curated by world-renowned chefs. 

The studio has put its name on the map as a master of storytelling, a notion that is evident in even the minutest of details. “We don’t just follow trends. Instead, we create atmospheres that blend romance, elegance, and innovation, tailored to reflect each couple’s unique love story,” notes Fernando Gutiérrez. “Our aesthetic is concept-driven, meaning every event we design is a one-of-a-kind narrative brought to life in creatively curated spaces.”

From 2017 to Forever

Over the next 12 months, Gutiérrez and his team will actively explore opportunities to expand their target locations, aiming to bring their bespoke event design and production services to new international markets. So far, they have been the go-to brand across Mexico and Europe.

Since its founding in 2017, Fernando Gutiérrez’s company has completed over 320 projects, earning clients’ trust locally and globally. From the beaches of Mexico to its rapid expansion into the scapes of Spain and Italy, Gutiérrez F Studio has been rendering exceptional events worldwide, proving that the celebration of love is a universal language. 

“Whether we’re planning events in Mexico or across the ocean, we hope to create moments that our clients will look back on fondly,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez. 

For every bride and groom that the team works with, Gutiérrez F Studio promises that each walk down the aisle is the start of a new fairytale that is entirely their own.

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