Reem Yunis
BIO
Reem Yunis, a Palestinian textile designer from Milton, Ontario, explores her heritage through the lens of contemporary textile art. Her work bridges tradition and innovation, blending the rich legacy of Palestinian embroidery—also known as Tatreez—with modern techniques such as machine stitching and the unconventional use of plastic. By reimagining ancestral motifs through experimental materials, Reem creates pieces that are both deeply personal and boldly modern. Her practice is a journey of self-discovery, rooted in cultural memory and fueled by a passion for storytelling through textiles.
CAPSTONE PROJECT
THE BIASED WESTERN MEDIA COVERAGE OF PALESTINE
My Capstone project examines the biased Western media coverage of Palestine and how it shifts focus away from the realities on the ground. Using symbolism and textile techniques—Palestinian cross-stitch (Tatreez), heat manipulation, and free-motion embroidery on dyed and undyed vinyl—the work merges tradition with modern materials. A distorted black vinyl form hangs from the ceiling, representing the distractions that divert attention from Palestinian suffering, while scattered fragmented motifs on the floor symbolize the dismembered bodies of Palestinians. The lights represent Western media outlets, and the colour palette is inspired by the Palestinian flag. This work challenges viewers to look beyond headlines and recognize the human cost behind the conflict.
FEATURED Work
Title: Floor Pieces
Dimensions: 2.5 × 2.5 in.
Year: 2025
Materials: DMC Pearl Cotton size 8 threads, Vinyl, Free-motion
Title: Centre Piece
Dimensions: 17 × 32 in.
Year: 2025
Materials: Dyed Plastic
Title: Hanged Piece
Dimensions: 2.5 × 2.5" in.
Year: 2025
Materials: Vinyl, Free-motion embroidery, and RIT dyes
Title: Vision Board
Dimensions: 8.5 × 11 in.
Year: 2025
Materials: Vinyl, Free-motion embroidery, Aida Fabric, DMC Pearl Cotton size 8 threads, paper, and Markers
Title: Colour Palette
Dimensions: 8.5 × 11 in.
Year: 2025
Materials: Digital file