SHIBUI Issue 2

TUNISIAN LOCAL ESSIA CHALOUEH DESIGNS CONTEMPORARY
FURNITURE AND HOMEWARES WHICH ARE HANDCRAFTED
USING CUMULATED HERITAGE, TRADITIONAL METHODS AND
NATURAL MATERIALS.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY
AND WHERE ARE YOU BASED NOW?
I’m from Bizerte, a city in North Tunisia,
and I’m currently living in Tunis, the
capital city.
HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THE
AMAZING WORK OF THE TUNISIAN
CRAFTSWOMEN?
I’ve met the talented craftswomen
during my visits to the crafts villages,
cities and villages markets and also
during trade fairs of artisan creations.
Sometimes I find about good
craftswomen by word of mouth.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
TUNISIAN CULTURAL TRADITIONS
AND CRAFT – THEIR DESIGNS AND
HISTORICAL INFLUENCES ETC?
The Tunisian cultural tradition is rich
with the different civilisations that
went through the country as well as
the people who have perpetuated
its brightness throughout times.
Today, the Tunisian heritage has the
print of each one of them whether
they are Numidians, Romans,
Carthaginians or Arab Muslims.
Cumulated traditions, manual
dexterity and creative intelligence
are based on and blended with
the handicraft product be it utilitarian
or decorative, traditional or modern.
It has a strong presence in everyday
life.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOUR ARTISANS
WORK WITH AND ARE THE DESIGNS
TYPICAL TO TUNISIA OR DO THEY HAVE
A MODERN TWIST?
Generally, my artisans use natural
materials from animal fibres such as >
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Tunisian-inspired
collection; Essia Chaloueh.
Essia Chaloueh S H I B U I 11