BACKWARDS
'2018, embroidered tablecloth, diameter 150 cm
“Like a phantom escaped from the film, a tablecloth from Jamilé’s trousseau occupies the floor space in the centre of the Espace arts plastiques. This meticulous piece of work has been patiently “unembroidered” by the artist, like Penelope who, in order to pass the time until the return of Ulysses, undid her weaving in order to do it over again. This reverse embroidery is suggestive of a rewindingof time, a theme dear to the artist because it is Backwards that she journeys back into the memories of preceding generations.” (Panem et Circenses).
In Lebanon there was a tradition for young women, to start preparing their bridal trousseau from an early age. Girls and teenagers are taught techniques like “crochet”, embroidery, “canva”, “dentelle bretonne”, etc. They spend years hand making tablecloths, bed sheets, kitchen and bath towels, and other decorative items, destined for their future bridal house. Few days before the wedding, the trousseau of the bride is exhibited for a whole day in her parents’ house. The rigorous work of the long years of her youth demonstrates the virtue and skill of the young woman, which implies her ability to run a household.
In this work entitled Backwards I took an embroidered tablecloth of an old wedding trousseau, and I completely “unembroidered” it. The colored threads disappeared, leaving room for the traces of the needle. This action is envisaged as a journey back into the memories of preceding generations, but also as a sharp reaction against stereotypes cast upon women.