Reviving Heritage: The Qadem Hooks Console by May Khoury

Transforming Traditional Artifacts into Modern Art Furniture

May Khoury's fascination with old wooden pieces used for agricultural purposes led her to collect these items over the past 18 years. These pieces served as the inspiration for her to begin composing abstract pieces of art furniture. The Qadem Hooks console is a testament to her creative journey, a piece that is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.

The Qadem Hooks console is composed of various old hooks, painted green, which were traditionally used with the Qadem (an old wooden mule's saddle back) for transporting wheat from one village to another. These hooks are attached to an old wheat thresher board, used to crush the wheat, serving as the base of the console. The design is completed with a glass panel on top, the only new material used in the creation of this piece.

The production technology involved in creating the Qadem Hooks console was simple yet effective. The old wooden pieces were fixed and attached together to form the console's shape, without the use of any metal screws or nails. The dimensions of the glass top are 125x 35cm x 10mm, with a height of 81cm and an irregular wooden base length of 96cm and width of 26cm/21cm.

The Qadem Hooks console is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a statement of heritage and creativity. It represents a successful attempt at up-cycling, transforming discarded items into something useful and beautiful. This act of up-cycling has been well-received by the local society and visitors of Jordan, serving as a reminder of the country's past while also being a functional piece for the present and future.

Creating the Qadem Hooks console presented several challenges for Khoury. She had to find a way to connect all the pieces without using any metal screws or nails, in order to be nature-friendly. Moreover, she had to create and work on a design without altering the shape of any piece of old wood. Despite these challenges, Khoury's mission to preserve and promote old heritage pieces resulted in a well-appreciated piece of art furniture.

The Qadem Hooks console was awarded the Golden A' Design Award in 2014, a testament to Khoury's innovative design and dedication to preserving heritage. The Golden A' Design Award is granted to creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.