Unveiled at the Sikka Art & Design Festival 2025, Sikham is a striking 7-meter monolith that embodies the United Arab Emirates’ deep-rooted heritage and connection to nature. Designed as a contemporary wind tower, it draws inspiration from sikham, a traditional material, and pays homage to the ancient charcoal-making craft using Samra and Sidr trees. By blending Bedouin traditions with modern artistic expression, Sikham preserves and reinterprets the region’s environmental and agricultural knowledge.

Crafted with precision and expertly fabricated and installed by NAAM Creations, Sikham consists of 36 vertical stacks of meticulously arranged blocks, forming a mesmerizing double-helix structure. Each of its 72 layers contains approximately 120 finely carved grooves, resulting in a total of 4,320 grooves across the sculpture. Rooted in vernacular Bedouin practices, this architectural marvel bridges past and present, redefining traditional techniques and ensuring their legacy endures.

More than just a structure, Sikham symbolizes resilience and transformation, echoing the rich cultural narratives of the UAE. Its name, sikhama, refers to the blackened bottom of a cooking pot, a subtle nod to its origins in fire, earth, and craftsmanship.