fbpx
Close

The first solo show of artist Jordan Nassar showcases his reinterpretation of traditional Palestinian craft

Nassar's work explores the traditional cross-stitching technique called Tatreez

Some encounters have a long-lasting impact on a creative journey. This was the case for self-taught artist Jordan Nassar. Born in 1985 of Palestinian descent, Nassar grew up in New York City – where he is currently based – and was surrounded in his household by the motif of Tatreez, a matrilineal tradition of cross-stitching, which is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Palestine. Traditionally, the wearer’s social and familial status, as well as their different stages of life, could be identified through the colours, patterns and designs of the Tatreez.  

Connected to the ideas of nostalgia, nationality and heritage since the end of the 1940s, these motifs have been part of Nassar’s work since his meeting with women-led embroidery collectives across Ramallah, Hebron and Bethlehem; collectives whom he now collaborates with.  

The artist’s first solo show – on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston until 29 January 2023 – features embroidered works on a monumental scale (as well as recent creations in wood and glass mixed media).  

Represented by James Cohan Gallery in New York, Anat Ebgi Gallery in Los Angeles and The Third Line in Dubai, Nassar reinterprets a key aspect of his culture in his own way. The result is visually subtle yet powerful, captivating yet mysterious, rhythmic yet harmonious.  

“Nassar’s work, with its complex patterning and painterly attention to form and colour, elevates our understanding of craft traditions as long-standing and deeply meaningful forms of art,” says curatorial assistant Anni Pullagura. 

Titled ‘Fantasy and Truth’ in reference to the melancholic poetry collection A Tear and a Smile (1914) by Lebanese writer Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), the show comprises Nassar’s largest works to date. Each made of 57 individual panels in a variety of warm and cool colours, sizes and shapes, ‘Song of the Flowers’ and ‘Lament of the Field’ abstractly and geometrically evoke a sun rising over a blue mountain and a moon shining across a red valley.  

Through his mesmerising artworks made in collaboration with a Palestinian embroidery collective based in the West Bank, Nassar explores what home, land and memory mean and represent – especially in one’s imagination.  

“I like to discuss these landscapes as versions of Palestine as they exist in the minds of the diaspora who have never been there and can never go there,” says Nassar. “They are the Palestine I heard stories about growing up, half-made of imagination. They are dreamlands and utopias that are colourful and fantastical – beautiful and romantic, but bittersweet.” 

Interested in starting conversations through his art, Nassar has developed a rich visual language that goes beyond aesthetics to tackle the complexity of reality and identity.

The Latest
The Hari Hong Kong Design

Tara Bernerd & Partners Design An Elegant Retreat in Vibrant Hong Kong with AXOR

Understated Luxury Meets Urban Heritage at the Hari Kong Kong

A Fusion of Sustainability and Design

Marcantonio’s Terra pouf for Natuzzi Italia is a statement of conscious craftsmanship

Things to Covet- April 2025

Not to be underestimated, here’s where side tables take centre stage

Green coast project

Rqitects completes a multi-use project for Green Coast Real Estate with a LEED Gold accreditation

The project combines both commercial office spaces and industrial warehouses

A Vision of California Modernism

Paul McClean and Michael Webb explore the art of liveable modernism in their latest Rizzoli book

Smart Integration

Kettal’s Pavilion H blends aesthetics and functionality

Downtown Design Riyadh

Downtown Design Riyadh – Highlights Announced

Held in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the fair will take place at JAX District from 20-23 May.

Island Sanctuary

Baituti Home develops Zuha Island’s most inspiring design projects

Elevated Living

Versace Home announces the grand opening of its boutique at Dubai Mall Zabeel

Culture Express

Designed by Aline Asmar d’Amman, the Dream of the Desert train seamlessly blends modern elegance with the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia

The Art of Curated Living

OBEGI Home designs a breathtaking mansion on Jumeirah Bay Island through thoughtful curation and bespoke elements

d3 x Fuorisalone.it announcement

Dubai Design District (D3) signs partnership with Fuorisalone and Brera Design District

The strategic partnership officially signed during Milan Design Week, will enable collaboration, knowledge sharing, industry networking, and joint initiatives.