A MAJOR exhibition that celebrates the rich textile traditions in Palestine has opened at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge. Material Power celebrates an array of cloth creations made across 150 years, which incorporate complex craftsmanship, along with stunning visual components.
Installation view of ‘Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery’ at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. Photo: Jo Underhill
Installation view of ‘Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery’ at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. Photo: Jo Underhill
As the first large-scale display of embroidery from this region seen in the UK for over three decades, the show examines the ways in which this art form, primarily undertaken by women, has evolved through a century of turbulent history. Whatsmore, this ancient practice of undertaking intricate work with a needle, remains a vital part of the culture within Palestine today.
Installation view of ‘Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery’ at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. Photo: Jo Underhill
The bulk of the exhibition revolves around embroidered dresses, of which there are more than forty, borrowed from important private collections in Jordan and the West Bank. These vibrant, carefully-constructed garments are wondrous, invoking the incredible skills of the maker in question.
At times, they also touch on the resilience that dress-making signified during periods of war faced by the country, when the labour of women was akin to political force.
Installation view of ‘Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery’ at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. Photo: Jo Underhill
One segment of the exhibition which is particularly illuminating is the inclusion of textile objects, such as purses and object-holders, made by men held as political detainees in Israeli prisons, who use the medium of embroidery to signal national pride. These delicate belongings bring home just how powerful the act of embroidering can be.
by Derby Jones
Material Power: Palestinian Embroidery runs at Kettle’s Yard until 29 October.