SILA Exhibition Highlights Palestinian Embroidery's Cultural Significance At Maraya Art Centre

Maraya Art Centre has launched 'SILA. All That Is Left to You', an exhibition focusing on Palestinian embroidery, known as tatreez. This event was inaugurated by Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. The opening was attended by Samar Abu Sultan from the Palestinian Embassy in the UAE, Khalil Abdulwahid of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of Barjeel Art Foundation.

The exhibition is curated by Cima Azzam from Maraya Art Centre, Noor Suhail of 1971 – Design Space, and Rula Alami, who initiated the SILA series. It features 25 contemporary artists and designers who explore tatreez as a means of cultural preservation and resistance. Collaborations with embroiderers from Lebanon's Inaash Association highlight the show's dedication to cultural resilience and intergenerational knowledge.

Rula Alami expressed that SILA honours tatreez as a transformative medium connecting personal narratives with collective identity. Curators Cima Azzam and Noor Suhail view it as a vibrant design language that bridges heritage with modern creativity. This exhibition underscores the importance of cultural practices that reflect identity, resilience, and renewal.

Among the artists featured are Amer Shomali, Abdel Rahman Katanani, Areen Hassan, Aya Haidar, Bokja, Cristiana de Marchi, Hazem Harb, Katya Traboulsi, Liane Al Ghusain, Maysaloun Faraj, Nada Debs, naqsh collective, Sama Alshaibi, Samia Halaby, Steve Sabella and Zaid Farouki. Their works reinterpret tatreez in innovative ways.

The exhibition reaffirms Maraya Art Centre's dedication to preserving cultural practices that embody identity and resilience. It provides a platform for voices and stories that persist despite challenges. Through SILA, Maraya Art Centre continues its mission to support cultural expressions that endure over time.

Several pieces were created in collaboration with Lebanese embroiderers from the Inaash Association. This collaboration highlights the exhibition’s commitment to maintaining cultural traditions across generations. The show serves as a testament to the enduring power of cultural heritage in contemporary art.

SILA showcases how traditional crafts like tatreez can be reimagined in modern contexts while preserving their historical significance. By bringing together diverse artists and designers, the exhibition celebrates tatreez as both an art form and a symbol of resistance.

With inputs from WAM