By Jeanie Molyneux.

This is one of the most moving exhibitions I have ever visited, challenging, but well worth seeing. The exhibition celebrates the ancient tradition of Palestinian embroidery, called tatreez in Arabic. There is an extensive display of beautiful dresses (throbes) and accessories, in bright, vibrant colours, utilising this form of embroidery. The different colours (often shades of red) and varying embroidery styles and symbols express the identity and origins of the embroiderers. Throughout the exhibition there is a wonderful selection of photographs, from the Palestinian Museum in the West Bank, taken over the past century or longer, showing Palestinian families dressed in clothing, featuring tatreez. 

However, the exhibition is not merely a tribute to the skills, creativity and patience of the women who have created this intricate and detailed embroidery. The exhibition is firmly placed in the context of the historical and political situation of the Palestinian people. It also emphasises the relationship and solidarity between the peoples of Scotland and Palestine. It seems significant that Dundee is hosting this exhibition, as it was the first city in the UK to be twinned with a Palestinian city, having been twinned with Nablus since 1980. 

One exhibit shows how tatreez became a part of the resistance of the Palestinians during the 20^th century. This is an “intifada dress”, which were made during the time when Palestinian flags and colours were banned in public and women started embroidering dresses with traditional symbols in Palestinian colours as part of the resistance. 

One wall in the exhibition displays a work entitled  “Absence does not mean forgetting” by Leena Nanmari, a Palestinian artist living in Scotland. There are 626 small clay tablets representing Palestinian villages or towns destroyed, 531 in the Nakba of 1948 and the rest since. 

Unsurprisingly the most poignant section of the exhibition is that displaying dresses from Gaza. The exhibit which tugs most at the heartstrings is a damaged throbe made for a young girl.  This was an exhibit from the collection in the Rafah Museum which was bombed in the winter of 2023, destroying much of its collection.  This dress was thrown on to the roof by the force of the explosion and remained there for 8 months before staff from the museum were able to retrieve it, damaged by the explosion and by exposure to the sun and rain, but still whole and retaining some of its beauty.  

As the text at the beginning of the exhibition says “At a time of grief for Gaza, the exhibition seeks to tell Palestinian stories and to celebrate joy, creativity and resilience”.  

The exhibition at the V&A Dundee continues until Spring 2026, which a member of staff I asked said is likely to be next April. It is open 10am to 5pm and is free.