Majd Abdel Hamid's "Daydreamers" exhibition opens in London

Majd Abdel Hamid's first solo exhibition in London, titled "Daydreamers," showcases a new series of needlework that reflects social and political moments. This ongoing project began in 2012 and features what the artist calls "textures of memory." Hamid uses embroidery to explore the concepts of time and labor. His work builds emotional intensity through slow, repetitive creation, pushing back against the fast pace of today's digital culture. His pieces focus on personal engagement rather than strict narratives, contrasting the rigid structures of modernist art. One key series, "12-23 (End of Chapter)," started with nine embroidered portraits of Mohamed Bouazizi, whose self-immolation sparked the Arab Spring. Hamid collaborated with women from Farkha village to create these portraits, eventually sewing Bouazizi's name onto a pillowcase with leftover thread. This series captures Hamid's personal experiences and reflections on changing political landscapes. In a new work for this exhibition, "Fortune Tellers" (2025–), Hamid presents six hundred origami fortune tellers. These objects symbolize open-ended possibilities, as they lack inscriptions. Visitors can take one as a gift during the final weeks of the exhibition, promoting a sense of generosity in the fast-paced environment of London. Hamid's art takes inspiration from Palestinian textile traditions while avoiding conventional hierarchies. His focus on the imperfect and handmade is a response to the pressures of quick, digital culture. "Daydreamers" represents a shift in his work, emphasizing hope and the continuity of everyday creativity. The exhibition was curated by Adomas Narkevičius. Majd Abdel Hamid is a visual artist from Palestine, currently living between Beirut and Paris, and his previous work has been displayed in various international exhibitions. His current show in London has been made possible through the support of several foundations.