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Tunisia boasts a vibrant artisanal community, with nearly 350,000 artisans, predominantly women, playing a pivotal role in regional development, particularly in marginalized areas.
Their contributions enhance the country’s cultural and economic vitality. Carthage, the ancient capital, epitomizes this rich heritage. Positioned strategically on the Mediterranean Sea, Carthage flourished as a prominent Phoenician hub, influencing trade routes and cultural exchanges across the ancient world.
Today, Tunisian influences resonate throughout the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Europe, showcasing a history of encounters and cross-cultural fertilization that continues to inspire. Pottery, natural fibers weaving, palm woodwork, stone carving, numerous other crafts originated in this region, creating a unique historical continuum between our distant past and the present day.
Curated by Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, the group exhibition serves as a manifesto to celebrate Tunisian culture by revitalizing and reinterpreting traditional craft practices within a series of unique collaborative commissions to international designers Elias and Yousef Anastas (Palestine), Louis Barthélemy (France), Mary-Lynn Massoud (Lebanon), Georges Mohasseb (Lebanon) and Chris Wolston (USA).
CARTHAGISME presents the collaborative works of six international designers alongside Tunisian artisans, honoring traditional techniques while exploring contemporary visions, bridging the gap between past and present.
CARTHAGISME unfolds through various collaborations, each steeped in historic knowledge and ripe for reinterpretation by six internationally established artists/designers and five artisans deeply entrenched in Tunisia's cultural fabric. In a country where tradition intertwines with constant Mediterranean cultural influences, the exhibition celebrates Tunisia's artistic heritage while embracing the dynamism of contemporary creative expression.
Tunisia's cultural resurgence comes at a pivotal moment as the nation grapples with the complexities of modernity while remaining rooted in its historical legacy. Through CARTHAGISME we seek to amplify the voices of creatives, diversify the country's cultural landscape, and forge new pathways toward reflection and inclusivity.
Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte is a design curator based in Italy. With a background in architecture, Nicolas has curated over sixty-five design exhibitions for galleries, museums, and institutions worldwide. He is the co-founder of NOMAD, a traveling art and design fair, and was the visionary behind Carwan Gallery, the first contemporary design gallery operating in the Near East. Nicolas is also known for his work as the art director of the Fonderia Artistica Battaglia Design Department, where he showcased unique design commissions in bronze production. Additionally, Nicolas contributes his expertise to urban revitalization and programming projects, such as the initiative in Egypt’s Siwa Oasis, where he recently contributed to establishing a creative non-profit residency program in collaboration with EQI and the European Union. Recently, he curated « Interlude Rwanda, » featuring site-specific installations across the country. Through his diverse projects, Nicolas continues to shape and enrich the landscape of contemporary design globally.
