Mina Abouzahra

Mina Abouzahra (b. 1977, The Netherlands) is a Dutch-Moroccan designer and furniture maker whose practice bridges contemporary design, textile art and cultural research. Born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents, Abouzahra works from a position between two cultural contexts, allowing heritage, material knowledge and contemporary form to come together in a distinctive visual language.

Her work is deeply rooted in Moroccan craft traditions, particularly weaving. Through long-term research and close collaboration with artisans, Abouzahra examines the techniques, histories and social structures embedded within these practices. Rather than approaching craft as a historical reference, she repositions it as a living, evolving language within contemporary design.

Collaboration is central to her methodology. Abouzahra works with weaving cooperatives in rural Morocco, supporting the visibility of female artisans and contributing to more equitable models of production. In this sense, her practice extends beyond the object itself, addressing questions of authorship, cultural preservation, sustainability and social impact.

Since founding her studio in 2013, Abouzahra has developed a body of work that moves fluidly between furniture, textile and installation. Her works often foreground the structural and tactile qualities of woven materials, using textile not as decoration, but as a central element of construction, narrative and meaning.

A key project within her practice is The Soul Of A Rug, developed in collaboration with Noria Chaal and the weavers of Taznakht. The project explores the weaving traditions of the Amazigh people while drawing attention to the socio-economic realities of artisan communities. Combining contemporary design with immersive storytelling, the project reflects Abouzahra’s broader commitment to connecting past and present, local knowledge and international discourse.

Through her practice, Abouzahra expands the role of craft within contemporary design. Her work is both materially refined and conceptually engaged, offering a powerful reflection on heritage, labour, female authorship and the future of traditional craftsmanship.

Education

• Wood and Furniture College, Amsterdam

  Studied furniture design; during her final year she discovered Moroccan crafts through a work placement in Morocco

Collections

• Central Museum, Utrecht

• TextielMuseum, Tilburg

• Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam

• Van Eesteren Museum, Amsterdam

• Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam

• COBRA Museum, Amstelveen

• Muiderslot, Muiden