Quick answer: Exhibition crockery is tableware, usually a mug, a plate set and a mug-and-plate set, created from the artwork of a specific Tashkeel exhibition. The artist's imagery, colours and textures are adapted onto durable ceramic so the exhibition can continue in people's homes. It is an accessible way to own contemporary art from the UAE and the region. Current collections include Provisional Sanctuaries, Precarious Beings, Unfolding, Al Wissam Script and Of Liminal Threads.
Why put art on a plate?
- Access: an original artwork can cost thousands; a mug carries the same imagery at an everyday price.
- Daily contact: a painting hangs on a wall; a plate is touched, used and talked about at every meal.
- Memory: exhibitions close, but objects keep the experience alive for visitors.
The idea is not new. For centuries, ceramics in the Islamic world carried calligraphy, poetry and painted scenes.
How an artwork becomes tableware
- Selecting the image: a detail, texture or composition that works in the round.
- Adapting to form: a painting is rectangular; a plate is a circle and a mug is a wrap. Each design is recomposed for its shape.
- Choosing glaze and colour: glazes are selected to echo the artwork, such as the deep red underside of the Provisional Sanctuaries plates.
- Packaging: plates arrive in a designed box, like a catalogue for the table.
The collections and their stories
Provisional Sanctuaries by Shamin Sharum
The plate set (21 cm) carries the artist's painted prayer-mat compositions, blocks of red, grey and black crossed by the saf lines that align worshippers in prayer, with a woven border and a rich red glazed underside. The mug wraps the same surfaces around a deep red body. Food is served on an image of shared space and community, which is exactly the point of the work.
Precarious Beings by Hamad Al Muzaini
From the Precarious Beings exhibition, the plate set, mug and set invite you to look closely at the everyday, starting with your own table.
Unfolding by Moza Al Falasi
An exhibition exploring grief, memory and inheritance becomes objects for the home: the plate set, mug and mug and serving plate set.
Al Wissam Script by Wissam Shawkat
Minimal designs drawn from the calligrapher's script, on a boxed plate set, mug and set. Letters at the breakfast table.
Of Liminal Threads by Ranim Al Halaky
From the Of Liminal Threads exhibition, the plate set, mug and set carry its threads into daily rituals.
Ideas for using art crockery
- Mix collections: four plates from four exhibitions make a table that feels like a group show.
- Display: stand plates on a shelf or hang them as wall art between meals.
- Gift a pair: pair a mug with the plate set from the same exhibition for a complete story.
- One mug, one artist: rotate desk mugs like you rotate books.
Caring for art crockery
- Hand wash gently with a soft sponge to protect the artwork.
- Avoid abrasive scourers and harsh detergents.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Check each product page for specific care guidance.
See all of this year's exhibitions in Tashkeel's 2026 Exhibitions in Review.
Frequently asked questions
What is exhibition crockery?
Tableware created from the artwork of a specific exhibition.
Can I use it every day?
Yes. The pieces are made from durable, smooth ceramic. We suggest hand washing; check each product page for care guidance.
Will collections be restocked?
Availability varies by collection, so check the product page.
Is art crockery a good gift?
Yes, especially as a mug and plate set from the same exhibition.
Prices and availability change, so check the product page for the latest.
