Circular sculpture with traditional Kurdish motifs, vibrant colors.

Roda Medhat Weaves Traditional Kurdish Symbols into Luminous Sculptures at Toronto’s Abbozzo Gallery

2026-06-03

Artistry in the intersection of tradition and modernity

In Toronto, Roda Medhat, a Kurdish artist, is redefining the limits of fabric by transforming it into sculptural art. His work bridges the gap between traditional West Asian textiles and modern media, challenging how narratives are carried and reimagined through contemporary methods like digital fabrication and 3D scanning.

From textiles to illuminated installations

The solo exhibition, From the Loom, currently housed at Toronto’s Abbozzo Gallery, showcases large-scale sculptures alongside a new collection of textile creations. Known for his striking neon displays, Medhat features luminous pieces using glass and acrylic that evoke the intricate patterns of Kurdish rugs.

Art piece combining a sheep with an automotive element, vibrant setting. — “The Sheep and the Chevrolet” (2026). Photo by Darren Rigo

Textile storytelling with modern techniques

Medhat incorporates images derived from Kurdish children’s literature—depicting young boys on horseback and engaging with nature—directly into his textiles. Using an electronic Jacquard machine, these symbols are intricately woven into the fabric, highlighting the fusion of traditional motifs with avant-garde methods. Medhat describes his exhibition as a synthesis of extensive research, focusing on the interplay of cultural preservation and contemporary reinterpretation.

Discover how Faig Ahmed’s artistic fusion melds mysticism and technology for unique contemporary textiles.

Luminous sculpture with vibrant Kurdish patterns under dim lighting. — Photo by Darren Rigo

Reimagining past narratives

A standout piece, “The Sheep and the Chevrolet,” reexamines François Balsan’s flawed 1947 ethnographic account. Balsan’s work juxtaposed idealized Kurdish life with the incursion of Western modernity, presenting a biased view. Medhat’s sculpture counteracts this narrative by using 3D printing to create a whimsical sheep serenely perched on a Chevrolet, offering a playful yet poignant reinterpretation.

For more on transforming traditional crafts, learn about Pacita Abad’s reinterpretation of Yemeni architecture through art.

From the Loom runs through May 26. To explore more of Medhat’s creations, visit his Instagram.