The Zay Initiative aims to promote an understanding of the evolution of regional culture, building up public awareness and appreciation of this unique heritage, reaching out to like-minded individuals and institutions nationally, regionally and globally. In addition to seasonal or touring exhibitions and museum loans, the collection is accessed through the digital archive (Collection), first of its kind on a regional level, fortified by a pop-up glossary in both Arabic and English. The Zay Initiative aims to empower women regionally and globally by bringing their untold stories to life.

The Five Pillars of the Zay Initiative are: • Collect, document and conserve Arab dress and adornment.• Present and contextualise through a digital archive and blog.• Encourage intercultural dialogue to highlight our shared humanity.• Inspire and educate designers to create for a sustainable future.• Empower women regionally and globally by bringing their untold stories to life.

We look forward to welcoming you to this dialogue.

OUR GUESTS: NAQSH COLLECTIVE
Through creative traditional designs, and delicate hand finish, naqsh collective was founded in 2009 in Amman, Jordan, by two sisters nisreen and nermeen abudail. Taking on their name -naqsh collective- (engraving: the first form of art done by a human to leave his print), they started to exhibit unique pieces of art, and design. Reflecting the oriental feel and integrating the beauty of their rich culture, the sisters re-engage with it again through shapes, meanings, and compositions. nisreen & nermeen are inspired by both contemporary and traditional Arabic aesthetics, combined together with high quality of local craftsmanship. naqsh collective has participated in national and international events such as Milan Design Week, Amman Design Week, Design Days Dubai and Saudi Design Week, VENICE DESIGN 2018, and in museums in Lebanon, Sharjah, Ramallah and Jerusalem. In 2018 naqsh collective is shortlisted as one of the nine finalists for the Jameel Prize 5.