ROOTED is a cross-cultural collaboration between Palestinian visual storyteller and embroidery artist Rasha Al Jundi and Zimbabwean-born/UK-raised beadwork artist Michelle Ndebele of [ VØI ].
The collection weaves together two intricate artforms and cultural expressions: Tatreez (Palestinian embroidery) and East and Southern African loom-woven beadwork. Both of these traditional crafts were passed down to Rasha and Michelle by their grandmothers, who now carry them forward in their own practices.
In this body of work, Tatreez is translated into loom-woven beaded jewellery, allowing both forms to be shared and expanded, while remaining grounded in their origins. The chosen motifs journey across time and geographies. ‘Ear of Corn’ and ‘The Amulet’ evoke strength and resilience from the past; ‘Gaza’s Voice’, designed by Rasha, bears witness to the present; and ‘The Cypress’, which has long been a symbol of endurance, gestures toward shared futures for all.
Each [ VØI ] piece is intricately designed and loom woven using high quality, precision cut glass beads from Toho, Japan – the oldest manufacturer of glass beads in the world. Earrings are finished with 925 sterling silver earring hooks or 18k gold plated stainless steel hooks, while rings and bracelets are composed of stainless steel or 24k gold plated chain and clasps, depending on the design.
Rooted speaks to what is passed down, what is carried forward and what refuses erasure. This is about creativity as solidarity, creativity as care and creativity as cultural continuity.
About the Artists
Rasha Al Jundi is a Palestinian visual storyteller, curator, photographer and embroidery artist whose work follows a social documentary path, engaging political, cultural, and colonial histories. Descending from a rich lineage of Palestinian embroiderers, she incorporates tatreez as both archive and expression.
I believe that we resist erasure, own the archive, and confirm our rootedness through storytelling.” – Rasha Al Jundi
Michelle Ndebele is a beadwork artist, wellbeing practitioner and founder and designer of [ VØI ], an Afro-futuristic jewellery studio featured across international design platforms, now expanding into immersive participatory experiences for contemplation, intergenerational connection, and ecological imagination.
For Ndebele, culturally grounded wellbeing and creativity are a bridge between inner and outer worlds, between cultures, between humans and the more-than-human world, offering a shared act for remembering our interconnectedness and our collective capacity to imagine and build more liberated futures. ‘Rooted’ is the beginning of a series of creative solidarity collaborations she hopes to pursue.
About [ VØI ]
[ VØI ] weaves creativity and collective wellbeing, crafting portals of reflection through jewellery to creating immersive installations. The work is rooted in collective healing and ancestral visioning.
[ VØI ] came to life in 2016 through beading lessons from Ndebele’s Gogo (grandmother) in Harare, Zimbabwe. [ VØI ] is a play on the word “voyeur”. Having grown up away from Zimbabwe, Ndebele sometimes felt like an observer of her culture. When her Gogo taught her to bead, Ndebele found her creative and cultural voice and realized we all have a voice to contribute in taking our cultures forward – we are the culture.
For Ndebele, [ VØI ] is an ode to the Africa that was, the Africa that is and the Africa that can be.
[ VØI ]’s designs are a mix of different worlds, with the rich East and Southern African cultures coming together. The pieces will particularly appeal to clients who see adornment as an intentional form of self expression, rooted in culture, heritage and artistry.
The jewellery pieces that are results of this collaboration are on view and for sale in a pop up at Provisions in Lower Kabete through the month of February. 60% of all profits support Gaza mutual aid through Trahom (https://www.trahom.org/), an organization that started working during the ongoing genocide in the besieged Gaza strip and has continued, with a focus on orphans and their guardians.
A Public Workshop
As part of the collaboration, Ndebele and Al Jundi are offering a limited-space workshop in tatreez and beadwork at Provisions on Saturday 21 February. a joint workshop that roots us back in our ancestral lands.
5 participants will learn beading work to produce a small personalized piece that includes a Palestinian tatreez design.
12 participants will learn how to apply Palestinian tatreez – traditional cross stitch (or peasant stitch) – on a rummaged piece of fabric that will be turned into a tote bag by @rummagestudio. (Some basic cross stitching knowledge is recommended).
Date: Saturday Feb 21
Time: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm (to give time for any participants who will be observing Ramadan to go home and rest before Iftar)
Cost: 4,500 KSH per person.
All materials are included.
50% of workshop cost will go to Gaza mutual aid with contributions from all parties involved in this collaboration.
Register via the LINK IN BIO @iwearvoi
