An Island of Light1- 30 September 2026
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio
Julia Ibbini
©Ibbini Studio

Julia Ibbini

Mixed media sculptor

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

New directions for geometric layers

  • Julia’s sculptures balance the handmade and the digital
  • She is completely self-taught in her mixed media practice
  • She was awarded the 2019 Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Design Prize

Leveraging sheet materials, such as paper, wood, metal and mother-of-pearl, Julia Ibbini transforms computational instances into intricately patterned sculptures. She draws on a vast repository of historical motifs from around the world to adorn her 3D printed vessels with hand drawn ornamentation. Today, Julia’s work involves a constant back-and-forth between handcrafting and digital techniques. "I prefer pieces that are undeniably handmade over seemingly perfect, computer-generated objects," she says. Julia also integrates gold leaf into her laser cut pieces through a unique, painstaking technique she developed over the years. From commissions to collaborations with architects and luxury Maisons such as Cartier, each of her works could take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to complete.

Julia Ibbini is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010.

INTERVIEW

I start by hand drawing my patterns. Using multiple custom software tools built by Stéphane Noyer, my husband and collaborator, I define the shape and create flat prototypes to see the scale in a space. I then draw patterns on every side and use digital rendering to preview the piece. Using a laser machine, I cut the many layers, which I then glue by hand, layer by layer, using a 3D-printed form as a guide.

As a computer scientist, Stéphane provides the algorithmic tools and custom software that I use to design and build. He handles the automation side and takes my making process in directions I would not have thought about. I provide all the research and hand drawings, which allows us to merge visual language with technology.

Paper is delicate, but when laminated together, it becomes extraordinarily strong. When I amass enough layers of paper, it looks carved. People look at these objects and think, 'How was that made, and what is it made of?'. I also work with very fine veneer woods, mother-of-pearl and gold leaf, each material requiring countless hours of research in order to work with it.

My inspiration comes from all over the world. I am fascinated by the history of ornament and how certain motifs can be traced back to antiquity, traversing across a wide range of cultures. I have a huge repository of patterning that I refer to, and I try to translate this visual history into contemporary forms.

Julia Ibbini

Mixed media sculptor

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ADDRESS

Address upon request, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

AVAILABILITY

By appointment only

LANGUAGES

English, French

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