Brisbane to Beirut

Each ceramic tile from Blatt & Matonelli: Brisbane to Beirut’s collection is a one-of-a-kind piece, handcrafted during Zawal Pottery Studio’s residency, held between Beirut and Deir Al Qamar. The design and creation was led by Sirena Varma with the support of Nourman Kadro. Along the way, many incredible hands contributed, shaping this collection through shared effort and community.

Inspired by traditional geometry, vernacular architecture, and everyday motifs, this collection examines identity, tradition, and the fluid concept of home. Like so many in the diaspora, the work interrogates the persistent pull of ancestral memory and the role of tradition in reconnecting with culture. The process to create the tile designs incorporates lino cutting, stamping, sgraffito, painting, and repeat patterns, fostering new experimental approaches to material and form.

A beautiful community formed along the way, with many hands offering help at every step. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who contributed and believed in my vision. A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful friends (both new and old) who labored on this project by my side, this outcome wouldn’t exist without you: Tony, Nourma, Omar, Dana, Karima, Yara, Han, Lex, Elias, and Yuval.