Majd Abdel Hamid's 'Murmuration' at Cample Line: Embroidery as Memory and Resistance
Until 6 September, Cample Line, a repurposed mill in rural Scotland, showcases 'Murmuration' by Palestinian artist Majd Abdel Hamid. The exhibition highlights his 2015 series 'Son this is a waste of time,' featuring nearly invisible embroideries crafted with white thread, inspired by a seamstress in Ramallah who declined his commission. Among the pieces are a floor installation of origami fortune tellers, 'Code' (2024), which alludes to Jacquard loom punch-cards, and 'Music Box' (2024), which transforms patterns into sound. Additionally, 'Muscle Memory' (2026) reflects on Palestinian mourning traditions, emerging after the 2020 Beirut explosion. Three Polaroids named 'Ode to Sea (murmuration)' (2026) depict a flock of birds. An essay by Francis McKee explores physics and flocking behavior.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Murmuration' by Majd Abdel Hamid at Cample Line, rural Scotland, runs until 6 September.
- Series 'Son this is a waste of time' begun in 2015, includes white-on-white embroideries on various fabrics.
- Title from a Ramallah seamstress who said 'Son, this is a waste of time'.
- Installation of origami fortune tellers made from fabric offcuts, visitors can take them.
- Work 'Code' (2024) uses buttons of thread to create a 'dysfunctional binary code'.
- 'Music Box' (2024) translates dot patterns into sound via an antique music box.
- A chest of drawers contains an iPad video and 'Compositions' (2025–26) with saturated colors.
- 'Muscle Memory' (2026) is an indigo-dyed work referencing Palestinian mourning customs, developed after the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
- Three Polaroids 'Ode to Sea (murmuration)' (2026) show a flock of birds.
- Francis McKee wrote an accompanying essay for the exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Majd Abdel Hamid
- Félix González-Torres
Institutions
- Cample Line
- Canvas
Locations
- Scotland
- Beirut
- Paris
- Ramallah