Maraya Art Centre Unveils “SILA: All That Is Left to You,” a Pioneering Exhibition Celebrating Palestinian Embroidery
In a profound celebration of cultural heritage, the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, UAE, has unveiled its latest exhibition, titled SILA: All That Is Left to You. This compelling showcase highlights the intricate world of Palestinian embroidery, known as tatreez, affirming its significance as both a cultural inheritance and a dynamic form of artistic expression. The inauguration of the exhibition was graced by the presence of prominent dignitaries, including HE Ahmed Al Qaseer from Shurooq, representatives from the Palestinian Embassy, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and HE Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi from the Barjeel Art Foundation, underscoring the importance of this event within the broader cultural dialogue.
The exhibition is co-curated by an esteemed trio of cultural figures—Cima Azzam, Noor Suhail, and Rula Alami—who initiated the SILA series with a vision to integrate art, culture, and heritage. The term sila, which translates to “connection” in Arabic, encapsulates the exhibition’s core theme, bringing together narratives of memory, identity, and the artistic reinvention that spans generations. This central idea serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of Palestinian culture, illustrating the ways in which traditional practices can evolve and remain relevant in contemporary contexts.
A total of twenty-five artists and designers are featured in the exhibition, each exploring the nuances of tatreez through various mediums, including textiles, paintings, sculptures, and installations. This diversity in approach facilitates a rich dialogue around the themes of preservation and transformation—highlighting how traditional crafts can transcend their historical confines while still paying homage to their roots. Notably, several of the artworks were produced in collaboration with embroiderers from the Inaash Association in Lebanon, a cooperative that has long championed the artistry and labor of women dedicated to this craft. This partnership not only emphasizes the importance of skill transmission but also shines a spotlight on the pivotal role women play in maintaining and revitalizing cultural practices.
Among the notable artists exhibiting their works are Amer Shomali, Abdel Rahman Katanani, Aya Haidar, Hazem Harb, Samia Halaby, Nada Debs, and Steve Sabella. Each artist contributes a distinctive perspective to the shared cultural vocabulary, illustrating diverse methodologies that breathe new life into tatreez. For instance, the unsettling imagery in Shomali’s pieces confronts difficult histories, while Katanani’s works weave personal stories through the medium of traditional embroidery, each representing a unique emotional landscape rooted in lived experiences.
Rather than relegating tatreez to the status of a static artifact, SILA actively reinterprets it as a living archive—a vibrant tapestry that connects intimate stories with collective histories and continuity with disruption. Within the context of Maraya Art Centre, embroidery emerges not merely as a craft but as a powerful medium where resilience and creativity converge, offering a platform for renewal and reimagining cultural narratives in the contemporary world.
The exhibition is open to the public from September 21, 2025, until January 5, 2026, and is located at Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, a city renowned for its commitment to the arts and cultural discourse in the Gulf region. As visitors wander through the intricately woven narratives and rich textures presented in the exhibition, they are invited to reflect on the broader implications of tatreez—how this traditional form serves as both a remembrance of the past and a beacon of future possibilities.
As SILA: All That Is Left to You takes its rightful place within the artistic landscape of the UAE and beyond, it stands as an assertion of the enduring power of cultural connection, an eloquent reminder of the artistic expressions that can emerge from the complexities of history. In navigating this exhibition, audiences are encouraged to engage with not only the visual elements on display but also the poignant stories interwoven within each piece, highlighting the resilience and innovation inherent in Palestinian culture.
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