MARYAM IS A PALESTINIAN-KOREAN COMIC ARTIST AND WRITER BASED IN FINLAND (@mellu.art). She recounts her family’s displacement—from Haifa to Jerusalem to Jordan and finally to Finland—explaining how she rediscovered tatreez as an adult while searching online for traditional Palestinian dresses. Initially drawn by aesthetics, she later became captivated by its storytelling power and political depth, integrating those themes into her art. In this conversation, Maryam shares how tatreez inspired her comic “Garden,” created as part of a collective of BIPOC artists in Finland. The comic depicts a conversation between a grandmother and granddaughter about memory, heritage, and generational storytelling through the metaphor of seeds and gardens. This story resonated deeply with audiences, especially those from other indigenous or displaced communities, reflecting universal experiences of loss, resilience, and reclamation. Together, we hear her reflections on art as activism, her evolving tatreez practice, and her upcoming Finnish novel featuring Palestinian and Sudanese characters. Maryam’s story beautifully weaves together themes of diaspora, intergenerational connection, and the importance of preserving family stories—embodying the idea that tatreez is not just embroidery, but community, memory, and resistance. You’ll hear about: >> 0:48: Maryam’s connection to Palestine >> 4:38: How Maryam first heard about tatreez >> 8:35: Maryam as a comic artist and writer >> 10:42: Tatreez influence in her comic “Garden” >> 15:15: Reception and the plot of her comic “Garden” >> 20:02: Maryam’s tatreez practice >> 27:20: Maryam’s next project (which also includes tatreez), a novel! >> 30:43: Her art activism content >> 37:23: Biggest life lessons from tatreez Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform “I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” – If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now! Boycott Resolute RGL. Click here for more information. Boycott ZARA and all Inditex brands—Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Oysho, ZARA Home. Click here for more information. Follow us @tatreeztalk Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe
