DUBAI: New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Middle Eastern interiors brand Sedar Global are collaborating on a new range of soft furnishings featuring works of art in the former’s collection, with the first launch celebrating nature-themed creations.
Nahel Selo, creative director at Sedar Global Interiors, spoke to Arab News recently about the collection and what he envisions the most popular prints will be — including whether there are plans to feature Arab artists.
The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai as wallpaper. (The Met x Sedar Global)
The works of artists including French impressionist Claude Monet, Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, Japanese printmaker Katsushika Hokusai and Austrian painter Gustav Klimt have been translated into fabric form.
They will be used for wallpaper, curtains, upholstery and pillows to “(make) fine art accessible in a way that fits seamlessly into the home,” Selo said.
According to Sedar, the initial release “celebrates nature and new life through elements like land, sea, and air” and Selo explained the decision to launch with this collection.
Roses by Vincent van Gogh in the form of a roller blind. (The Met x Sedar Global)
“Nature has a universal appeal, and we felt that it’s something people can connect with on a deeper level, especially in our region where the landscape is diverse yet often harsh … plus, nature-themed designs are versatile; they complement both contemporary and traditional interiors,” he said.
While the target market includes individual homeowners and interior designers working on larger projects, Selo predicts that the “sea-inspired pieces might steal the show.
Red Poppies Charles Demuth on pillows.(The Met x Sedar Global)
“There’s something about the fluidity and tranquility of the ocean that speaks to people, especially in coastal areas.”
Future seasonal introductions will be thematic in nature, drawing on the 1.5 million works in The Met’s collection, which spans 5,000 years of art from around the globe.
When it comes to Middle Eastern creatives, Selo says the team at Sedar, which translates the artworks into pattern-form and soft furnishings before they are approved by The Met, is “looking into it.
“It would be a beautiful way to celebrate our regional culture. We’re exploring ways to bring in local artistry and add that unique Middle Eastern touch to future capsule collection releases,” he noted.
Grasshopper and Iris by Katsushika Hokusai as wallpaper. (The Met x Sedar Global)
When it comes to his own home, the creative designer is not one to shy away from bold uses of color and print.
“My home is slightly more bold and industrial. So I’d probably go for a (Wassily) Kandinsky on a wallpaper feature behind my sofa.
“Kandinsky’s geometry styles add depth and a statement talking point to a space,” he said, referring to the abstractionist Russian painter who died in 1944.
