Contemporary Dimensions of Omani Jewelry from the Perspective of women in current generations

Authors

  • Amal Al-Ismaili Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts Education, Sultan Qaboos University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35560/jcofarts1494

Keywords:

Omani jewelry identity, contemporary design, fashion trends, social trends, structuralism

Abstract

 

Objectives: The study aims to identify the contemporary dimensions of Omani jewelry from the perspective of women in current generations in Oman and to clarify the ability of jewelry designers to preserve the authenticity of Omani jewelry while keeping pace with modern development and creativity. It examines also the intellectual and social trends in designing contemporary jewelry which are compatible with the reality of its wearers.

Methods: Quantitative method is used to collect data about the contemporary dimensions of Omani jewelry, through semi-structure interviews with Omani women from different governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.  It collected (150) interviews, but (56) interviews were selected as a deliberate sample with women who have experience and knowledge of the contemporary dimensions of jewelry from different governorates, whose ages range between (15-40 years).

Results: The results showed the contemporary dimensions of Omani jewelry are formed by its reflection of women lifestyle, the influence of artistic movement, fashion trends and financial independence of women. Moreover, cultural critical trends in jewelry design were compatible with the reality of its wearers. The structuralism emphasized the relationship of the collector with the jewelry as product, which was achieved in both the material and moral factors.

Conclusions: The study conclude that values ​​of contemporary dimensions of jewelry are not fixed, but rather evolve with the cultural, social and economic changes that affect each generation which impact on how it appreciates jewelry.

Keywords: Omani jewelry identity, contemporary design, fashion trends, social trends, structuralism.

Author Biography

  • Amal Al-Ismaili, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts Education, Sultan Qaboos University

     Amal Al-Ismaili is an Assistant Professor of Handicrafts. She teaches in the Department of Art Education in the College of Education at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman. She took her first degree from SQU and then completed her Master’s degree at Coventry University, specializing in jewellery making as a contemporary craft. She completed her Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in December 2019. 

     

    Amal has conducted research into the meanings and functions that are inherent in the creation of traditional Omani jewellery, and she has extended those signifiers into the creation of contemporary artifacts,

     

    Her findings have been presented in a number of academic conference papers, and she has exhibited her work in Oman, the United Kingdom, Korea, Italy and Spain. In 2019 she became the first Omani, and the first Arab, to win an Enjoia’t Award from the Fomento de las Artes y del Diseno in Barcelona. In 2022 she awarded The Medal by the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on the occasion of the Gulf Youth Day. Recently, she awarded at the 3rd Forum for Creative Arab Women, which was held by the Ministry of Social Development in cooperation with the “Diwan Ahlil Kalam” in appreciation of her creativity and continuous giving in 2024. Recently, Amal awarded “Audience Award” in Inflow an international Exhibition in Hungary in 2024.

References

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Published

2025-03-15

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

Contemporary Dimensions of Omani Jewelry from the Perspective of women in current generations. (2025). Al-Academy , 115, 51-68. https://doi.org/10.35560/jcofarts1494

Publication Dates

Received

2024-09-12

Revised

2024-11-05

Accepted

2024-12-04

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