Artist Janan Shihadeh’s J Tables Are A Rich Reflection Of Culture
The Palestinian-American artist integrates traditional patterns and motifs into her designs to reflect diversity
Janan Shihadeh’s first stint with art came when, as a young child, she took lipstick to the walls of her home, letting her thoughts flow freely. Over time, she discovered more effective ways of expressing her artistic inclinations, inspired by her early childhood between USA, Europe and the Middle East.
“With each new destination, I’ve discovered fresh dimensions to my creative process,” she says, pointing to the traditional Saudi designs on her customised Hermès bags, or the Palestinian Tatreez patterns, the Kuffiye butterflies and the palm trees of the UAE adorning her bespoke tables.
The Palestinian-American artist moved to Washington DC to discover her destiny and began working with the renowned American muralist, Byron Peck. “I spent three years by Byron’s side,” she recalls. “From murals to furniture, I honed my skills, showcasing adaptability and versatility in my craft and the art of bespoke.”
Moving to Cairo to start her family, Janan found herself sought out by interior designers, eager to discover her neo-classical murals that reflected a modern renaissance style. From infusing her unique approach into projects, working on ceiling and wall murals, hotel lobbies and antique painted furniture, Janan enjoyed creating customised pieces of work for notable figures, including the likes of Queen Rania, Amr Diab and former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
Janan moved to Dubai in 2012, establishing her eponymous firm Janan Studio – specialising in leather goods and fashion – and calling the city her new home. A decade later, she launched Janan Home Studio. Connecting the East and West with her bespoke designs, she began collaborating with Rewind Vintage UK, accepting requests from clients of Harvey Nichols London. Soon after, her customisation expanded to include luxury leather handbags with the likes of Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, eventually becoming an official Louis Vuitton UAE customiser.
“Culture is the cornerstone of my artistic vision, intricately woven into every design,” she says. “My global journey, spanning continents from the United States to London, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and now Dubai, has profoundly shaped my artistic expression. Growing up as a Palestinian-American, I was immersed in diverse cultures and perspectives, igniting a lifelong fascination with incorporating multicultural influences into my art.”
Janan’s J Tables collection has evolved since the original concept was born. Describing it as “functional art”, the designer originally crafted these tables from wood, delicately set with a mother-of-pearl inlay, and laser-cut steel lace, embellished with precious stones such as turquoise and lapis lazuli.
“My J Tables have since transitioned into durable, sustainable leather creations. Months of meticulous research has been spent discovering ink and printing techniques ensuring their resilience against spills, and making them both functional and stylish.”
Crafted by a dedicated team including carpenters, leather artisans and craftsmen selected for their skill, the J Tables are pieces of personality, modern yet timeless, functional yet artistic, just as Janan envisioned them.
Available in two lines; bespoke and tailored with hand-painted designs, or a limited-edition collection of 20, inspired by the seasons – they continue to fascinate the senses with waterproof vegan pebbled leather, hand-stitched edges and painted motifs for that classic finish.
“I love being the melting art pot of all that I’ve lived”
Janan Shihadeh
The contemporary tables are a reflection of Janan’s unique aesthetic, of which she says, “It’s clear my work reflects a blend of diverse influences. I love being the melting art pot of all that I’ve lived”. And no matter what she touches, it shows.
The Janan Studio Home tables are sold in THAT Concept Store, Mall of the Emirates and O’de Rose, Al Wasl Road.
For more information visit jananstudiohome.com
Images Courtesy of: Photography by Ausra Osipaviciute
From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors’ Summer 2024 issue