Hosted in collaboration with Liwan Design Studios and Labs, the residency continued to promote cultural exchange and creative dialogue between Qatar and Indonesia, highlighting shared values of craftsmanship, community, and artistic innovation. Running from 4 August to 7 September 2025, the programme saw Kika working alongside local artists and craftspeople to develop a series of collaborative ceramic works inspired by the craft legacies of both Qatar and Indonesia.
Francisca, widely known as Kika, is an Indonesian ceramicist recognised for blending contemporary forms with a strong sense of community. She previously led the popular Indonesian Workshop Month in Qatar during the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, where she invited participants to sculpt their own creations and explore new ceramic-making techniques. Her interactive and inclusive approach demystified traditional craft and encouraged the public to engage with clay as a medium for storytelling and cultural exchange.
A core part of the project was public engagement, with weekly Pottery Fun Classes welcoming community members to learn directly from Kika every Friday — on 8, 15, 22, and 29 August, as well as 5 September. Participants explored hand-building and pottery wheel techniques while contributing to the creation of works celebrating the cultural connections at the heart of the residency.
The Ceramic Residency embodied the spirit of friendship and artistic dialogue championed by the Years of Culture programme. By bringing communities together through craft and collaboration, the project reinforced the enduring legacy of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture and its commitment to building connections extending far beyond a single year. The residency concluded with a group exhibition celebrating the artworks created and the stories shared throughout the cultural exchange.
