Tatreez exhibition reclaims Palestinian identity through embroidery
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The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur is hosting “Tatreez: Reclaiming Palestine through Embroidery”, an exhibition showcasing the heritage of Palestinian embroidery until April 25.
The exhibition explores how Tatreez, the Arabic word for embroidery, functions as a visual language of identity for Palestinian women, with designs reflecting their communities and regions of origin. The display features both traditional garments and contemporary reinterpretations of the craft. The exhibition is divided into two galleries.
The first gallery displays garments created by artisans from the Association for the Development of Palestinian Camps (Inaash), an organisation founded in 1969 by Huguette Bechara El Khoury to provide employment for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and preserve their embroidery skills. These garments blend traditional Palestinian motifs with modern design. The second gallery guides visitors through ten regions of Palestine, demonstrating how embroidery styles varied from community to community, revealing information about the wearer’s origins and affiliations.
The exhibition includes thobes (traditional garments), jewellery, and headdresses worn in daily life and for special occasions. Through the exhibition, the museum aims to preserve a cultural heritage at risk of being lost, while highlighting the stories and skills of the women who create it.
