Gazas Artistic Expression Takes Center Stage at Venice Biennale

Journalist Co-Commissions Gaza Genocide Tapestry for Venice Biennale

A new art project, the Gaza Genocide Tapestry, will be displayed at this year’s Venice Biennale. The tapestry is a collaborative effort between Palestinian women in occupied Palestine and refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan. It documents Gaza’s destruction in real time through 100 embroidered panels, each composed of 55,000 stitches.

The project brings together Palestinian women to share their stories of the devastation and pain they have experienced. Each panel tells a fragment of what has happened, including images of people weeping over dead bodies, children being crushed at soup kitchens, and individuals facing arrest by Israeli soldiers.

The tapestry is part of the Palestine History Tapestry Project, which aims to narrate the history of Palestine and its people through embroidery. The project was started in 2011 by Jan Chalmers, a British nurse who lived and worked in Gaza for two years in the 1960s. It has since been continued by various individuals, including the journalist who co-chairs the project alongside designer Ibrahim Muhtadi.

The tapestry is an extension of the Keiskamma History Tapestry, which chronicles the history of South Africa’s Xhosa people and hangs in the South African parliament. The Gaza Genocide Tapestry was recognized by UNESCO in 2021 for its preservation of Palestinian heritage.

The project’s co-curators have created a testament to the women who have contributed their stories and skills to the tapestry. Each panel tells a unique story, refusing to let the world forget what has been done and to whom. The tapestry will be displayed at the Venice Biennale as part of this year’s exhibition.

The Gaza Genocide Tapestry is a significant addition to the Palestine History Tapestry Project, which aims to preserve the history and culture of Palestine through embroidery. The project’s continued success is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of its contributors.

Source: Al Jazeera