Acacia Tree, 2015
Acacia Tree, 2015
W 1.10 m x H 1.27 m
Bright, vermilion flowers radiate against a multicolored backdrop in this exuberant composition. Wool tapestry hand woven by Ms. Mona Seliem. Learn more about her story below.
Pure cotton for the warps and pure wool for the wefts. All dyeing is done at the Art Centre and most of the dye plants are grown in the garden that surrounds the workshops.
About the artist
Mona Seliem
Mona Seliem was born in 1971 in Harrania village. Her father is the famous 1st generation weaver Mr. Ali Seliem.
Mona attended the local primary school from the age of six until 16. When she was 12, she joined the young kids whom came to the centre after school and during summer holidays to weave and play. Later, they became the second generation weavers started by Suzanne Wissa Wassef in 1972.
She was closely monitored by Suzanne so that she was not influenced by her father’s style and great success. Mona soon developed her own world of weaving images and styles. Her subject matter includes village stories, farmer’s activities in the fields, market places and the sea and garden landscapes with detailed flowers and cacti. Her tapestries have been part of the centre’s collection since the mid 90’s.
Mona is a mother of 3 lovely children, the eldest is 9 years old.
Exhibitions
"Ramses Wissa Wassef Tapestries", Nature in Art Trust, Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester, UK, 2014
"Garden Tapestries," San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, California, USA, 2017
