TEXTILES + FIBER ARTS
The Dead & Dying Sea
cotton, embroidery floss, glass beads, acrylic, Kuffiyeh, Shemagh
2026
Irving S. and Joan Tick Award Recipient
This piece was, and continues to be, a larger part of my research and exploring what it means to map emotions, places, our environment, memories, a people, and how to bring these ideas into art instruction. I have felt the lack of permanence of places that feel incredibly significant in my life, and capturing that importance is something I think about often in my art. The Dead Sea, also known as the lowest point on earth, which separates Palestine and Jordan, is disappearing. This work recognizes that change over time through the years of my grandfather’s, my father’s, my own, and future generations’ interactions with it. The quilt pattern follows the traditional Shemagh pattern, a traditional Jordanian scarf, with the Dead Sea’s changing borders embroidered using the colors of the Jordanian and Palestinian flags. The border is intentionally divided, with one side using the Kuffiyeh for the Palestinian border and the Shemagh on the Jordanian border. The fig, pomegranate, and olive refer to what grows from my family’s home in the village of Na’ur, Jordan. This piece is a way for me to map my ancestors, a place, a feeling, and a people. 🇯🇴🇵🇸🕊️
Devore Fabric: Velvet Burnout
The process of dyeing devore fabric is interesting since the pile weave on the velvet is 100% silk and the base is a synthetic fabric. The silk requires a direct dye bath since its a natural fiber and the synthetic requires an acid dye bath to create a beautiful two-tone velvet. After completing the dyeing process the fabric is ready to create a burnout pattern.
After the fabric has dried, a chemical paste is mixed that is then screen-printed on to the back of the devore fabric. My mother used to sing “You are My Sunshine” every night to me growing up so I had asked my mother to write the lyrics in Arabic, her native language and print it onto the velvet. After it has dried it is then put into a heat press and rinsed to remove the fibers that have been burnt off.
Hand Beading + Embroidery
Punch Needle Art
I’ve always been interested in finding ways to create new textiles and textures, and found myself learning the art of punch needling. I’ve been able to apply this concept to home decor, accessories, and textile art by creating decorative pillows, tufted mirrors, rugs, and more.
3D Printing
During my time at Columbia College Chicago, I developed basic 3D printing skills. I wanted to expand on my studies to create my own clay cutters and embellishments for my small business.
