Widad
Kawar

Awardee

Country

Palestine

Widad Kawar re-examines history through the preservation of Arab heritage.

Themes
Reexamining history
Disciplines
Cultural heritage
Awards
Archive - Prince Claus Laureate 2012

Profile

Widad Kawar is a collector and preserver of Arab heritage based in Jordan. She has dedicated her life to collecting and preserving traditional Arab costumes and folk art, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of the Middle East. Her work focuses on the themes of identity, heritage, and the preservation of memory, which she explores through her extensive collection of over 2,000 costumes and textiles, the largest of its kind.Kawar's efforts have culminated in the creation of the Tiraz Centre in Amman, a home for her collections and a hub for cultural education and preservation. This center not only exhibits her vast array of traditional clothing but also serves as a research and conservation facility, playing a pivotal role in cultural sustainability in the region.