The Caravan is part of DESIGNEAST's mission is to take artists and designers from the Global South on the road in an ever evolving curation of works, landing in new and familiar cities and outposts to connect to audiences that may otherwise be out of reach. With each stop, we endeavour to set down roots, integrating the local diaspora and fusing culture and craft to create new connections.

In 2023, we launched our concept with the support of Alserkal Initiatives and Abdelmonem Alserkal at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai. The show (Un)common Threads featured 17 artists, ranging from established to emerging, all living in or from the Global South and told the story of culture, identity and materiality in multiple forms, from embroidery to phygital installations.

This caught the eye of Nomad curator Nicholas Bellevance who asked DESIGNEAST to bring the show to Capri in the summer. Founder Rue Kothari curated a fresh exhibition of works with an eye on creative placemaking to ensure that the new works aligned perfectly to the location. 

This year we return to Dubai to launch our first brand collaboration with Jaipur Rugs, which will then find its way to Milan, London and back to the Global South where it originated.

Be sure to follow us on our journey @thedesigneast