Watta Al-Joumaa

Watta Al-Joumaa, a 61-year-old traditional Syrian embroiderer, has faced the devastating impacts of war since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Once thriving in her picturesque village of Houaïr Al-Housse, her life was transformed by the violence that erupted in 2013, forcing her to flee and leading to a profound loss of inspiration reflected in her art. Now living in Al-Safira, her embroidery symbolizes not just her personal struggles but also the broader cultural heritage of Syria, as she and her sister attempt to recreate the beauty of their former lives through their craft.