Entitled « Manhood, » « Dancer, » and « Gazelles, » these meticulously crafted tapestries, composed with raffia, metallic thread, and agave thread on cotton canvas, serve as a testament to the fusion of ancient techniques with a contemporary vision. A collective effort made with artisans Nejib, Zahra, and seven other skilled craftswomen in Mahdia, Tunisia.

In this triptych, my intention was to capture the pastoral beauty and gender narratives of North Africa. Against the backdrop of a lush palm grove, playful gazelles frolic while a muscular figure and a graceful dancer engage in a timeless dance. The female dancer, evoking the enduring depictions found in Saqgara’s tombs, pays homage to the renowned modern Egyptian painter Hamed Nada.

On show at the « Arab Design Now » exhibition curated by Rana Beiruti, Qatar Museum, Doha until August 2024.

MANHOOD,156 X 117 cm DANCER, 156 X 117 cmTWO GAZELLES, 156 X 117 cm