A Palestinian and a Māori artist on how their art is a form of activism
By Fourplait
“Tatreez (traditional Palestinian embroidery) as an art form has endured for generations being passed from mother to daughter, and it has survived and thrived and changed to adapt from displacement, colonisation and destruction.”
Saniah Naim’s family is originally from Gaza but they were displaced to The Gulf as refugees.
As an artist who practises tatreez, she uses thread and needle to preserve her heritage and says that studying and practicing the craft has deepened her understanding of Palestinian identity.
Miriama Grace-Smith (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa) is a full time artist whose work is heavily influenced by her whānau, hapū and iwi.
Her work has been described as a form of activism, but she says it’s just “being normal” to her. “It's been a way for me to reflect my compassion and solidarity for the people that those works are about.”
Both artists share a passion for activism through art and connect over a tatreez learning session in Pōneke Wellington.
Ahi Wānanga (the fires of discussion) is a six-part web series exploring what identity, belonging and resilience is to 12 young people from Aotearoa’s Muslim and Māori communities.
Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.
Made by Fourplait with the support of NZ On Air.
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