Palestinian Embroidery in a Troubled Landscape Reading Rachel Kainy’s “Embroidered Village”

Palestinian embroidery is the subject of ongoing interest, much of it on the part of Palestinian collectors, artists, and researchers. The present article focuses upon the works of Rachel Kainy, a young Israeli artist, who paints to perfection worn-out remnants of embroidered Palestinian thaubs (traditional embroidered ankle-length dresses). Retaining the traces of wear and tear on the embroidered pieces, while transposing them to the medium of painting, potentially activates the historical association of the Nakba. Living in the former Palestinian village of ‘Ayn Karim, Kainy’s nuanced, thought-provoking works and accompanying story provide grounds for reflecting upon unexpected reactions of Israelis to the Nakba, as well as a plethora of issues regarding folk creativity, femininity, and occupation.