Maryam Altajer Creates Functional Artwork Desert Rose for Bvlgari Ramadan Collaboration

Maryam Altajer designed Desert Rose, a functional artwork for Bvlgari's Ramadan campaign, marking a departure from her usual practice. The piece comprises over 20 thin wooden components that stack into unique configurations, intended to foster meditative assembly and reflection during the holy month. Altajer, who holds a master's degree in design, drew inspiration from Bvlgari's signature motifs and desert rose crystal formations, using 3D modeling to realize the concept. She viewed the collaboration as a challenge to step outside her comfort zone, aligning with themes of rebirth, reflection, and resilience. Her artistic evolution includes a shift from colorful graphic design work to monochrome pieces that better express emotional depth, as well as abstract Arabic calligraphy projects developed during a residency at the Fire Station in Doha. Altajer previously launched a functional art line in 2019, sold through venues like Qatar Museums and Harvey Nichols, and sees Desert Rose fitting into this aspect of her practice despite a current pause for her MFA thesis. The artwork emphasizes self-reflection and inner growth, resonating with Altajer's focus on exploring the inner self and challenging perceptions of vulnerability in her cultural context.