JOURNAL ARTICLE

On Being Simultaneously Arab and "Modern": Saloua Raouda Choucair's Design Between Science and Sufism.

  • Published In: Journal of Design History, 2025, v. 38, n. 1. P. 56 1 of 3

  • Database: Art Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Taan, Yasmine Nachabe 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on Saloua Raouda Choucair's multifaceted contributions to design, emphasizing her integration of scientific knowledge and Sufism in shaping a modern Arab design philosophy. It highlights her pioneering role as a Lebanese woman designer from the 1950s to the 1970s, whose work bridged tradition and modernity through abstract geometric forms rooted in Islamic art and philosophy. The study draws on archival research and interviews to reveal how Saloua challenged prevailing norms by blending craftsmanship, technology, and intellectual inquiry across diverse media including furniture, textiles, jewelry, and ceramics. Her approach contests Eurocentric design narratives and underscores the dynamic relationship between gender, education, and design practice in Lebanon, offering a model for inclusive design history and education.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Design History. 2025/03, Vol. 38, Issue 1, p56
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0952-4649
  • DOI:10.1093/jdh/epae019
  • Accession Number:188100927
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Design History is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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