20. INNOVATING TATREEZ WITH KIKI SALEM


KIKI SALEM IS A ST. LOUIS-BASED MULTI HYPHENATE ARTIST, WEAVER, DESIGNER, SCULPTOR, WRITER, EDUCATOR, AND ENTREPRENEUR (@low_key_ki). Through various mediums, with textiles and material studies at the focus, her practice covers topics of escapism, experimental visual pattern development, linguistic hybridization, occidental assimilation, orientalism, and the Palestinian question. Kiki is a member of the Screwed Arts Collective in St. Louis. Her wearable collection, Punk Ass Arab (@punk_ass_arab) can be found on (and ordered from) Instagram.


Kiki’s upbringing in both Palestine and the United States helped her explore her artistic curiosities in innovative ways. With one foot always in the homeland, Kiki is able to balance out honoring Palestinian tradition while also innovating in what she calls hitting the “refresh” button.


Our biggest takeaway? Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what new beauty you can create and share with the world.


You’ll hear about:


>> 1:55: Growing up between Palestine and the United States

>> 8:27: Kiki’s tatreez journey

>> 13:02: The Punk Ass Arab origin story

>> 15:03: Tatreez weaved into Kiki’s art across mediums

>> 18:18: Honoring the tradition and still hitting the “Refresh” button

>> 23:53: Leveraging technology to inspire tatreez innovations

>> 26:06: “The Kiki Effect” and exposing tatreez to a new audience

>> 29:51: Collaborating across mediums and with fellow thobe-makers

>> 33:37: Going to Palestine (spoiler alert: there’s never a perfect time to go)

>> 36:47: Luminary artist-in-residence and visiting Kiki’s art in St. Louis

>> 41:49: Kiki’s major life lesson through tatreez


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