On the evening of November 4, 2025, in New York City, artist Rama Duwaji stood beside her husband, newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani, during his victory celebration. The 28-year-old donned an all-black ensemble, yet her top featured a subtle texture. It was laser-etched with a pattern reminiscent of traditional tatreez, the time-honored Palestinian embroidery technique.
Joanna Barakat, author of ‘Narrative Threads: Palestinian Embroidery in Contemporary Art,’ commented on Zeid Hijazi’s ‘Frequency Top,’ noting, “She’s making a powerful statement by wearing that. When people wear Palestinian embroidery, it’s not just decorative. It’s beautiful, of course, but it is saying something.” Her book explores the significance, impact, and allure of tatreez, seeing it as more than just a craft, but as a lens into a marginalized political struggle.
Barakat’s book delves into the contemporary relevance of tatreez, highlighting its evolving technical and symbolic applications across artistic practices. As she explained from her Abu Dhabi residence, Palestinian art offers profound insights into the lived experiences and narratives of its people. She shared an example from 1980 when Israel banned the Palestinian flag, prompting women to incorporate its colors into their garments as a form of resistance.
The book is both a historical account and a contemporary guide, showcasing over 200 pieces by 24 artists, whom Barakat interviewed extensively. The collection includes works by Sliman Mansour, Hazem Harb, Sary Zananiri, Steve Sabella, and Samar Hejazi, each contributing unique interpretations to the art form.
Barakat, who hails from Jerusalem and was raised in Los Angeles, is an artist who began investigating the link between textiles and her heritage through her painting ‘Heart Strings’ (2017). She has since led tatreez workshops and founded The Tatreez Circle community online, expressing that embroidery provided a unique connection to her Palestinian roots that transcended language barriers.
‘Narrative Threads: Palestinian Embroidery in Contemporary Art’ by Joanna Barakat, published by Saqi Books, is accessible online and at bookstores.
