Title: Alienation X

Year: 2024

Media: Glass Sculpture

Size: 26 × 10 × 10

About the work: The Palestinian glassblowing tradition, rooted in centuries of craftsmanship, faces decline due to political and material fragility. Alienation seeks to preserve and revitalize the craft by merging contemporary design with traditional methods. Through collaboration with local artisans and the use of 3D software, the aim is to bridge the gap between ancient techniques and modern expression. The project is not about nostalgia, but about breathing new life into a cultural practice, allowing it to evolve and remain relevant while reflecting the unique heritage and history of the region.

Bio: Dima Srouji is a Palestinian architect and artist whose work navigates the rich, charged terrain of cultural heritage and collective repair. Through glass, text, maps, plaster casts, and film, she interrogates the meanings of public space in the context of Palestine and the Middle East. She is leading the Palestine studio in the MA City Design programme at the Royal College of Art. A 2022-2023 Jameel Fellow at the Victoria & Albert Museum, her work is housed in prestigious collections such as the Stedelijk Museum and Corning Museum of Glass. Srouji has exhibited globally, including at the Venice Biennale and Sharjah Art Biennial.