Threads of Resistance

Prototype punch needle rug exploring queer Arab identity through themes of memory, resistance, and sacredness, bridging ancestral craft with contemporary storytelling to challenge cultural erasure and foster inclusivity.

December 2024

Prototype Punch Needle Rug

My prototype rug, Threads of Resistance, is a deeply personal exploration of queer Arab identity and cultural heritage. Through the medium of rug weaving, I delve into themes of memory, resistance, and sacredness to celebrate and elevate marginalized LGBTQ+ narratives. This work-in-progress embodies the resilience of my community and challenges the erasure of queer voices within Arab cultural contexts.

Threads of Resistance, 2024. Punch-needle prototype rug, 50 x 60 cm. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Exhibition Experience at Galerie 45

Threads of Resistance was recently showcased as part of the group exhibition Time and Self at Galerie 45, which provided a vital testing ground for my prototype. Serving on the exhibition’s communications team offered me a unique perspective on the collaborative process behind bringing diverse artistic voices together. The exhibition flyer below highlights the event’s mission to explore themes of temporality and identity through a collection of a diverse range of contributions, which align closely with my rug’s conceptual framework.

Installation shot of Threads of Resistance,
“Time & Self” exhibition at Galerie 45, Paris. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Research and Concept

This project draws on extensive research at the intersection of queer identity, Arab heritage, and textile art. Inspired by the works of artists like Kubra Khademi and theorists like Edward Said, I situate my practice within a broader dialogue about reclaiming cultural narratives. Central to this investigation are two guiding questions:

How can traditional practices like rug weaving be transformed into tools for queer self-expression and resistance?
What role does memory play in preserving and elevating erased or silenced queer narratives within Arab culture?

Through this lens, Threads of Resistance blends ancestral techniques with contemporary queer storytelling, creating a bridge between historical and modern identities. The imperfections and texture of the punch-needling process have become integral to the piece, reflecting the dualities of fragility and resilience inherent in the queer Arab experience.

Advanced Research Seminar: Artist Talk

In parallel with this project, I was assigned to create an artist talk for my Advanced Research Seminar class: Threads of Resistance: Weaving Queer Stories into Collective Memory. This presentation allowed me to articulate my inspirations, delve deeper into my research, and reflect on the journey of developing my thesis project. Drawing from queer theory, Middle Eastern art history, and textile studies, my script detailed the ways in which memory, resistance, and sacredness inform my work. By sharing process images and insights, I aimed to foster a dialogue about the intersections of identity and craft, inviting my audience to connect with the themes that drive my practice.

ARS ARTIST TALK SCRIPT

Prototyping and Progress

The prototyping phase revealed several key insights. The labor-intensive nature of the process resonated deeply with my themes of patience, devotion, and love in preserving marginalized voices. To further enhance accessibility, I plan to create supplementary materials for the final presentation, including a “key” for interpreting the rug’s symbolic elements and a thoughtfully designed scenography. These additions will guide the audience, balancing the piece’s inherent fragility with its universal message of resilience.

Process picture, rug design digital illustration.

Looking Ahead

As a prototype, Threads of Resistance represents the foundational step toward my capstone thesis, set to be unveiled in May 2025 during our graduation exhibition at Galerie Au Roi in Paris. This final iteration will culminate my studies in the Art Media and Technology program, offering a comprehensive exploration of identity, craft, and activism. The finished rug will integrate insights gained from this exhibition, emphasizing intimacy and sanctity while inviting audiences into a shared space of reflection and connection.

Stay tuned as this journey unfolds — from prototype to final artwork — as I continue to weave threads of memory, resistance, and belonging into this evolving tapestry of queer Arab identity.