Mourning III: Fourth Veil

Indigo-dyed cotton thread and madder-dyed silk thread, stitched on indigo-dyed paper, 10x28 cm.

In the tatreez tradition, women signalled mourning by wearing dresses embroidered in nothing but indigo (which inspired my pieces Veils of Mourning I and II). Only when ready to emerge from grief, did they start integrating red details again: This idea drove the series of studies for a follow-up series. Through the six studies, red thread makes its way back into the pattern in different ways because despite everything, Life returns.

In the Fourth Veil, the red of حياة "Life" creeps back organically into the pattern of mourning as Life reasserts itself.

More info & photos: https://majnouna.com/portfolio/veilsofmourning/