Maryam AlHomaid
Maryam AlHomaid is an Assistant Professor and interdisciplinary artist with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Masters degree in Design Studies from VCUArts Qatar. Her recent body of work takes inspiration from the significant economic and social changes that have occurred in Qatar, particularly in regards to lifestyle, language, behavior, technology, and architecture. Rather than dwelling on nostalgia for the past, Maryam’s work celebrates the evolution of memories over time.
Maryam’s artistic approach involves synthesizing traditional carpet-making techniques with her own contemporary graphics to create a unique aesthetic. Her creative process involves a deep exploration of traditional carpet-making techniques and patterns. She studies the traditional graphics of the layout and carpet format, whether it’s stacking, mirroring, or free hand style, and uses that as a foundation for her designs. By digitally designing her artwork, Maryam is able to control the graphics in a way that complements the traditional making of carpets, allowing her to create an innovative and captivating body of work.
Maryam's goal is to create a unique aesthetic that documents the changes in the region and celebrates its transformation throughout the year. She also hopes to bring attention to these different topics and start a conversation with the audience. Maryam's work is a testament to the power of art to capture and reflect the changes and evolution of culture and society. Through her innovative approach, she brings a fresh perspective to traditional craft techniques and creates work that is both timeless and contemporary.
Instagram : maryamhome
Website: maryamalhomaid.com
* This Interview is published in Issue 4
Hi Maryam, tell us about your background. How and when did you first start to create?
Hi there! That’s a great question. “Creating” for me started from a young age. I grew up in my father’s studio—Yousef Ahmed, one of the pioneers of Modern Arab Art—so I was constantly exposed to paint, materials, and tools. I was always “fed” with visuals, techniques, and concepts. Therefore, “creating” came naturally as I grew up.
How do you begin to work? What is your process like?
I try to begin my work by studying shapes in their purest form—proportion, scale, color, etc. I love studying forms, whether they come from typography, architecture, or any element in my surroundings. I take inspiration from those and then build concepts around them.
Usually, the concepts are inspired by where I come from and the constant, dynamic urban change I’ve been exposed to over the past few decades.
Maryam Al Homaid’s work is featured in Issue 4 of Artsin Square magazine, and her interview is also included in this issue. Learn more.
How do you strike a balance between preserving traditional elements and infusing them with contemporary graphics?
It’s always a challenge, but I try to combine long-standing crafts with digital tools that complement the making process. For example, my textile work involves studying contemporary forms of Arabic typography and architecture. I design them in a way that aligns with the kilim weaving production process. That way, I’m both preserving the craft and informing people about different visual concepts and ideologies.
4. Your work documents changes in the region and sparks conversations with the audience. What specific aspects of Qatar’s lifestyle, language, behavior, technology, and architecture do you hope to draw attention to through your art? How do you see your work contributing to the broader discourse on culture and tradition?
Because we live in a fast-paced world—and in my case, a fast-growing community—I fear that a lot of what we experience is neither documented nor appreciated. For example, specific words we used just a decade ago are no longer understandable to the current generation. Language itself evolves without us even noticing.
My aim is to use everyday objects—like kilims—to document such changes and tell our stories through the dynamic transformations we are constantly exposed to.
5. How has the city you live and work in influenced you and the art you create?
The constant construction is something I pay attention to the most. It’s completely normal to wake up one day and find a new road or building that wasn’t there just a few days ago. I find that overwhelmingly inspiring.
It’s fascinating because none of this existed in my childhood memories. It’s an inspiring time to witness, observe, and document these changes through art and design.
6. Describe a real-life situation that inspired you.
As a creative, it’s completely normal to hit a “creative block.” It’s the worst nightmare for anyone who is constantly making. For me, creating had always been a part of my life since childhood—until 2017–2018, when I went through a very rough period. I stopped creating altogether and didn’t feel like myself anymore.
Luckily, I found the courage to pick myself up. I signed up for a five-day workshop abroad that focused on physical making—woodshop work, clay, casting, molding. It reset my mind and brought me back to who I really am and why I do what I do.
My university students also inspire me all the time. Their energy, curiosity, and way of thinking encourage me to keep making and creating.
