His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture, inaugurated today The Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History exhibition, a travelling exhibition organized by the Palestinian Museum in collaboration with Qatar Museums at Qatar Museums Gallery Katara in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Mr Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, and Mr. Omar Al-Qattan, Chair of The Board Of Directors at The Palestinian Museum.
Labour of Love explores and celebrates embroidery’s historical importance prior to 1948 and the dynamic transformation Palestinian textiles have undergone in the decades. The exhibition is part of Qatar Creates, the year-round national cultural movement that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar connecting resident and global audiences with Qatar’s creative industries, and the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, an international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people.
Building on years of research and fieldwork, Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History reveals insights into the history and contemporary significance of Palestinian embroidery, unfolding a material history of Palestine, telling little-heard stories through the intimate catalyst of clothing. At the heart of the exhibition are over 70 historic dresses and accessories, drawn from every region of Palestine. Placed in conversation with archival photographs, posters, paintings, music and videos, the exhibition traces the shift of tatreez from personal practice, made with love, to a national symbol and onto a product circulating in the global marketplace. . Labour of Love is curated by Mr. Baha Jubeh, Collections Manager at the Palestinian Museum, and draws from collections of Qatar Museums and the Palestinian Museum. The exhibition was first presented at the Palestinian Museum in 2018.
Baha Jubeh said: “Palestinian Embroidery as a Historical Document: It is necessary to draw attention to neglected aspects of the narrative surrounding embroidery tatreez. This narrative carries meanings and symbols that go beyond politics, nostalgia, and the aesthetics of heritage, by clarifying its sentimental value and profound legacy.”
Commenting on the occasion, Issa Al Shirawi, Project Manager at Qatar Museums, said: “Qatar Museums is pleased to partner the Palestinian Museum to present Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History, an exhibition that highlights and celebrates the heritage and innovations from the region. It holds special significance for us as we celebrate the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, a program that brings people closer together, encourages dialogue, and deepens understanding between nations.”
The Palestinian Museum Director General Adila Laïdi-Hanieh, Ph.D., stated: “The Palestinian Museum is proud of this partnership with Qatar Museums, and we are grateful for their invitation to exhibit in Doha at this important time for Qatar. We share with Qatar Museums Authority a focus on presenting our heritage and stories from our Arab culture to our peoples and the world with up to date professional methods and approaches.“
The exhibition is presented as one of four exhibitions which provides insights into the scope and viewpoint to be encountered in the new Lusail Museum, scheduled to break ground in 2023. Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron, the Lusail Museum building will be constructed in Lusail.
Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History is sponsored by Seedeco, Ashraf Abuissa, Ameed Hamed Al Hussein, and Rami Elnatsha.
Published on the occasion of the exhibition and as part of the knowledge transfer the Palestinian Museum is keen to produce for its audience, Labour of Love: New Approaches to Palestinian Embroidery is a beautifully illustrated book featuring an in-depth essay by Rachel Dedman on the role of embroidery in Palestinian society and how it has been transformed to a national symbol of patriotism and resistance in the decades following the Nakba of 1948. The book also includes contributions by Kristine Khouri, Tina Sherwell, Kirsten Schied, Tania Tamari Nasir, Chiara de Cesari and Baha Jubeh, in addition to a photographic essay of archival images and highlights from the exhibition, showcasing stunning details of the embroidered garments on display. This is the second edition of the book, published by Qatar Museums in collaboration with the Palestinian Museum, with the generous support of Ashraf Abu Issa, Ameed Hamed Al Hussein and Rami Radi El-Natsha. The first edition of the book was published by the Palestinian Museum to accompany the first iteration of the exhibition in 2018. This bilingual book (English and Arabic) is available in Qatar Museums Gallery Katara gift shop and also for online purchase at https://inq-online.com/
A range of items inspired by the exhibition including embroidery kits, books, DIY colouring box, apparels, mugs, embroidered accessories and more are available to purchase at the IN-Q Pop-Up Store in Katara – House 11 and online at www.inq-online.com.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors. Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, which is currently under development. Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure. Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
About the Palestinian Museum
The Palestinian Museum - Non-Governmental Association dedicated to supporting an open and dynamic Palestinian culture nationally and internationally. The Museum presents and engages with new perspectives on Palestinian history, society and culture. It also offers spaces for creative ventures, educational programmes and innovative research.
The Palestinian Museum is a Swiss-registered non-governmental association with a branch in Palestine.
About Years of Culture
Culture is one of the most effective tools to bring people closer together, encourage dialogue, and deepen understanding between nations. Under the leadership of its Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums (QM) developed the annual “Years of Culture” initiative — an international cultural exchange that deepens understanding between nations and their people. Though formal programming lasts only one year, the ties of friendship that are strengthened and formed are long-lasting.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the 2022 Year of Culture will offer programming from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). The Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022 will include countries and communities from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022 has been developed in collaboration with leading organizations in Qatar, including Doha Film Institute, Education Above All, Katara Cultural Village, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Charity, Qatar Football Association, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Museums, Qatar National Library, Qatar National Tourism Council, Qatar Olympic Committee, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, with assistance from Doha-based embassies of participating countries. Previous Years of Culture have included: Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-UK 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russia 2018, Qatar-India 2019, Qatar-France 2020, and Qatar-USA 2021. Past sponsors include Vodafone, Qatar Gas, Shell, Ooredoo, Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Lulu Group International, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Petroleum, and ExxonMobil.
About Qatar Creates
Qatar Creates curates, celebrates, and promotes cultural activities within Qatar.
Working with partners in museums, film, fashion, hospitality, cultural heritage, performing arts, and the private sector in Qatar, the Qatar Creates platform amplifies the voice of Qatar’s creative industries, directly connecting audiences to events.
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