Folds of memory, 2026

This textile-based project explores collective memory through the act of folding; drawing from a repetitive gesture practiced by the artist’s grandfather during the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. As verbal communication faded, folding became a quiet, embodied language shared within the family. The project translates these gestures into textile form, treating fabric as a carrier of memory and care. Each textile captures a unique folding technique recalled by the artist’s aunts and uncles. Though the gesture remains constant, each memory varies, exposing how recollections fracture and shift between individuals. These differences weave together a collective archive. Each folding technique is paired with a material personally associated with the artist’s memory of her grandfather: a napkin as the primary form, a book reflecting his relationship to the Arabic language, and a newspaper crossword recalling moments of routine and focus. These materials are integrated through unique folding methods, transforming remembrance into physical construction. Color functions as an emotional language within the textiles, with each palette reflecting a specific feeling. Each piece is embroidered and printed with the verse { فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا } the last verse her grandfather shared before losing speech. The works are printed on 100% cotton thoub fabric, chosen for its personal significance as the artist’s grandfather’s preferred material.

This artwork was developed through the support of Misk Art Institute.