Contemporary Palestinian Artists Reinterpret Traditional Embroidery in New Publication
A new publication titled 'Narrative Threads: Palestinian Embroidery in Contemporary Art' by Joanna Barakat examines how 24 Palestinian artists are engaging with traditional tatreez embroidery. The book builds on research into Palestinian textile history and the 2023 'Material Power' exhibition at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge. It explores how artists like Sliman Mansour and Sama Alshaibi use textiles to address themes of cultural identity, displacement, and women's agency, while preserving a heritage disrupted by historical events such as the 1948 displacement. The publication, featuring essays by Tina Sherwell, Wafa Ghnaim, and Rachel Dedman, was released on August 15, 2025, by Saqi Books.
Key facts
- The book 'Narrative Threads' focuses on 24 contemporary Palestinian artists reinterpreting traditional tatreez embroidery.
- It is authored by Palestinian multidisciplinary artist Joanna Barakat and includes essays by Tina Sherwell, Wafa Ghnaim, and Rachel Dedman.
- The publication draws from academic research and the 2023 'Material Power' exhibition at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge.
- Traditional Palestinian embroidery dates back to before the New Testament and was severely disrupted after the 1948 displacement.
- Artists use textiles to explore cultural identity, trauma, and preservation, with examples including Sliman Mansour's rural idylls and Sama Alshaibi's critiques of female representation.
Entities
Artists
- Joanna Barakat
- Sliman Mansour
- Sama Alshaibi
- Majd Abel Hamid
- Shadi Ghadirian
- Shirin Neshat
Institutions
- Kettle's Yard
- Saqi Books
Locations
- Palestine
- Cambridge
- Gaza
- Hebron
- Ramallah