Expats in the UAE Develop Local Plant-Based Leather, Paint Impressive Mural of Emirati Chants: A New Plant-Based Leather Produced in the UAE by Expats, Showcasing a Striking Mural Depicting the Chants of an Emirati Traditional Song.
In the quiet corners of Sharjah, two women are reinventing cultural landscapes. Architect and material designer Nuhyar Zein, and muralist Fathima Mohiuddin, are each weaving stories of place, ecology, and identity through their art at 1971-Design Space and Flag Island Amphitheatre.
At 1971-Design Space, Zein has created Leukeather, a plant-based, biodegradable alternative to exotic leathers, crafted entirely in the UAE from the discarded pods of a swift-growing native tree. With Leukeather, Zein—an Egyptian artist born and raised in the UAE—is contributing not just to the aesthetic sphere but to nation-building as well. Her sustainable, scalable material holds regional roots and global potential.
"The idea came as a coincidence," Zein shared with Khaleej Times. Fascinated by the beautiful translucent effect of the pods, Zein began experimenting with the local material and birthed a concept that could revolutionize the design industry and the UAE's commitment to sustainability. The carbon footprint for Leukeather is minimal since all materials are sourced locally.
The installation 'Niche' at 1971-Design Space invites visitors on a sensory journey with reflective surfaces, soft textures, intricate joinery, and a central cabinet "Sara'ir," embodying the UAE and Egypt culturally—an embodiment of heritage and contemporary design.
Meanwhile, at Flag Island Amphitheatre, Canadian artist Fathima Mohiuddin is creating a love letter to the rhythmic Emirati traditions. Her mural Ahazeej (Chants) tells the stories of Al-Ayala, Al-Razfa, Al-Azi, Al-Tarruda, and Al-Nashat—poetic practices echoing desert nights and community rituals. With her mural, Mohiuddin has created more than static artwork; it serves as an invocation of the rich heritage of the Emirates.
Together, Zein and Mohiuddin's works remind us that design and art are means to preserve and reimagine. The Leukeather exhibition at 1971-Design Space will run until October 23, 2025, while the Jedariya project—another Shurooq initiative supporting public art and creative practices across the UAE—commissioned Mohiuddin's Ahazeej mural.
- In the realm of lifestyle and home-and-garden news, Nuhyar Zein's plant-based, biodegradable leather alternative, Leukeather, is gaining attention for its potential to revolutionize the design industry and contribute to sustainable living.
- Amid the cultural and environmental focus of recent news, the installation 'Niche' at 1971-Design Space by Nuhyar Zein showcases a sensory journey of the UAE and Egypt's heritage, embodying contemporary design and cultural landscapes.
- In the realm of art and culture news, Canadian artist Fathima Mohiuddin's mural Ahazeej at Flag Island Amphitheatre is garnering praise for its representation of Emirati traditions and has become more than just a static piece of art; it serves as an invocation of the rich heritage of the Emirates.
- In the world of sustainable living and environmental news, the Leukeather project is exhibiting at 1971-Design Space until October 23, 2025, and the Jedariya project—a Shurooq initiative supporting public art and creative practices across the UAE—has commissioned another of Fathima Mohiuddin's works.
