Opening on 6 November during Dubai Design Week, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewellery Arts will present Poetry of Birds.
This exhibition brings together jewellery, art and poetry to explore how the image of the bird has long symbolised freedom, spirit and transformation.
Following previous editions in Paris and Tokyo, the Dubai presentation offers a new perspective, focusing on the dialogue between 19th and 20th-century Western jewellery and Islamic art.
The exhibition will see jewels and gouaché drawings from houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati, Falize, Fabergé, Boivin, Marchak and JAR on display, showcased with Middle Eastern artworks on loan from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and Dubai Museums, including ceramics and metalwork to miniatures and carpets. Adding a local voice to this cross-cultural conversation, Emirati artist Faisal Al Rais’s contemporary photography will be shown publicly for the first time.
Curated by Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, Poetry of Birds takes inspiration from Farid al-Din Attar’s The Conference of the Birds (circa 1117), unfolding as a poetic journey that begins with regional verse and culminates in the fantastical aviaries of French jeweller Pierre Sterlé (1905–1978).
“Birds have long held a sacred place in Middle Eastern culture as symbols of freedom, renewal, and the human spirit. With ‘Poetry of Birds’, we wanted to honour that tradition while showcasing how these symbols echo across time and continents through art, poetry, and jewellery.”, says Cassius-Duranton.
Timed to coincide with Dubai Design Week, the exhibition marks a key cultural moment for the region. On 8 November, an Open House Day will invite the community to explore guided tours, workshops and live demonstrations, making the world of jewellery arts accessible to all ages and backgrounds.
“Through Poetry of Birds, we hope to build a dialogue between heritage and innovation, bringing together art, poetry, calligraphy, and craftsmanship through a shared language of imagination.”, notes Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East.
Poetry of Birds runs from 6 November 2025 to 25 April 2026 at L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai Design District (d3), Building 10. Admission is free with registration recommended
Visit: lecolevancleefarpels.com
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
