Athanasia

Designer: Nirmeen Naifeh
Artisans: Salim Atiq and Ibrahim Khalil

Athanasia brings Palestinian folk narratives into dialogue with the traditional craft of mother-of-pearl, translating stories, symbols, and cultural memories into contemporary wearable and decorative objects.

The collection draws on Palestinian oral heritage, transforming elements from folk stories into visual motifs and compositions through the distinctive material language of mother-of-pearl. Each piece connects narrative and craftsmanship, allowing a traditional material to carry stories beyond their original contexts and into contemporary forms.

By combining research into Palestinian folklore with the knowledge and techniques of traditional mother-of-pearl craftsmanship, the project reimagines heritage as a living source for contemporary design. The resulting pieces offer new ways to encounter, preserve, and share Palestinian stories while highlighting the expressive possibilities of a craft deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Palestine.