Palestinian Embroidery Deconstructed and Reimagined in New Exhibition

Artist and curator Lamis Shehadeh is showcasing her first solo exhibition, "Deconstructing Embroidery," at the Beit Ha'Bait cultural center in Tel Aviv-Yafo. The exhibition explores traditional Palestinian embroidery, referred to as Tatreez, and its significance as a visual language connecting history, memory, and creation. Shehadeh views embroidery as a living, evolving language, using her needle like a brush and thread like paint.

"Deconstructing Embroidery" aims to elevate Palestinian embroidery from a craft to contemporary art, examining aesthetic issues alongside the power of art. The exhibition, which closes in two days due to renovations, delves into the historical and cultural importance of embroidery as a prominent expression of Palestinian identity, passed down through generations of women. Shehadeh emphasizes that embroidery has served as a form of resistance and a symbol of identity, particularly after the 1948 Nakba and subsequent intifadas, incorporating political motifs and symbols of resistance.

Shehadeh, 62, who began embroidering at age eight, was inspired by her mother, Nawal Abu Ahmed, who learned from her own mother and volunteered to teach embroidery to women in their community. Her mother's work was often dedicated to charity and also served as a source of income. Shehadeh's own journey into art began later in life; she pursued a bachelor's degree in art at age 48 and a master's in art, focusing on Palestinian embroidery, at age 53.

Co-curated by Fadi Farah, the exhibition deconstructs traditional motifs into geometric units, stitches, and color arrangements, reassembling them with contemporary artistic principles. Farah notes that Shehadeh is one of the few artists who embroider all their works themselves. The exhibition also features an installation with embroidery and sound, including a joint portrait of Shehadeh and her mother, reflecting an intimate dialogue about the evolution and enduring significance of Palestinian embroidery.

In parallel, Shehadeh co-curated another exhibition, "I Was Born Here / Ana Min Huna," at the Rahat Art Gallery, featuring 21 Arab artists from the Negev region, focusing on themes of place, belonging, identity, and memory. UNESCO recognized Palestinian embroidery as cultural heritage in 2021, highlighting its role in conveying information about origin, marital status, and life events.