My Memory of Damascene Textile

The Transition to Collage Art and Visual Narration

This phase took years of research and experimentation as I sought to develop expressive tools that would grant me the freedom to construct visual scenes. My continuous exposure to both local and global visual arts played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic vision. I was particularly drawn to collage art, which became a turning point in my practice.

This shift was not merely a technical decision but rather the result of a profound personal and professional journey. While working as an art teacher for kindergarten and elementary school children, I learned from them the spontaneity and boldness of visual storytelling—free from academic constraints. This experience led me to rethink the concept of painting and embrace new methods that reflect an instinctive perception of scenes without rigid boundaries.

In a rare moment of fusion between consciousness and intuition, I began collecting materials that were deeply tied to my personal memory—my own clothes, fabrics from curtains and household linens, and even pieces I purchased from my neighbors. Through cutting, gluing, sewing, and embroidery, I started constructing visual compositions that went beyond merely replicating reality. Instead, I created emotionally charged visual worlds, closely connected to the playful essence of childhood.

My choice of fabric as a primary medium stemmed from my visual heritage, deeply rooted in my upbringing in Damascus. Traditional crafts such as mosaics, ornamentation, textile weaving, embroidery, and stained glass are intrinsic to the city’s identity. Additionally, sewing and embroidery had a strong presence in my childhood, as the women in my family practiced these crafts at home. Needle and thread were not only tools of learning but also of play, making this artistic approach a natural extension of my personal history and experience.

This transition marked a discovery of my innate creativity, culminating in a fusion of various accumulated experiences over the years. It was not just a technical evolution but an attempt to merge cultural heritage with personal expression, crafting scenes that convey human values through an honest visual language. This phase not only opened new horizons for my artistic expression but also served as my gateway into the art world, where my work became part of the artistic landscape and gained recognition in exhibitions and art competitions.