Milan Design Week 2025
At Milan Design Week 2025 Halle Design will be present as part of
‘The Last Supper, From a Different Perspective’
ROOTS Exhibition,
8-13 April, Masterly the Dutch Milano
at Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, close to the Duomo.
“Flow of Memory: A Tapestry of Water and Earth”
At the heart of Milan Design Week, a captivating tapestry titled “Flow of Memory” shines, crafted by Hala Yousif, as textile designer whose work bridges her Iraqi roots and her life in the Netherlands. This piece is more than a tapestry—it’s a woven narrative that intertwines a deeply personal story with an urgent environmental dialogue about water, land, and climate change.
“Flow of Memory” draws its inspiration from a simple sketch Hala created more than 30 years ago, as she left Baghdad, Iraq (Mesopotamia) due to the war and settled in Sweden. That sketch was a sanctuary for her emotions—nostalgia for the lands of the Tigris and Euphrates, and hope for a new future. Years later, now as textile designer living in the Netherlands, she decided to transform this sketch into a tapestry that embodies her personal journey and environmental concerns. Woven under her supervision in a specialized textile lab, the piece is crafted with natural wool and cotton threads, chosen with care to reflect her commitment to sustainability.
Looking at “Flow of Memory,” you’re drawn into a palette of earthy tones—warm browns, soft beiges, rich ochre gold, and deep dark browns—interwoven with abstract patterns that captivate the eye. The use of ochre gold adds a shimmering effect, reminiscent of the glistening rivers of the Tigris and Euphrates, while gradients of color evoke the shifting landscapes of both Mesopotamia and the Netherlands. Spirals and curved lines dance across the surface, symbolizing the flowing waves of water, while geometric shapes like rectangles and squares represent the structured yet ever-changing earth. Dangling threads add a touch of movement and rawness, resembling cascading water or memories flowing freely, infusing the piece with a sense of vitality. On the right, the word “eye” emerges in a stylized script, serving as a symbol of vision and memory—an eye that witnesses environmental changes and holds the stories of the land and water within it.
Presented as part of a collection dedicated to recycling and sustainability, Hala ensured the use of eco-friendly and recycled materials from dead stock. The tapestry relies on the intricate weaving and fringed edges to convey its natural aesthetic. Yet “Flow of Memory” transcends its sustainable craftsmanship; it’s a bridge between personal experience and global issues.
Hala Yousif grew up close to the Tigris and Euphrates, surrounded by their fertile waters, but also witnessed their struggle with drought due to climate change. Now living in the Netherlands—a land of water and reclaimed earth—she sees how these challenges resonate globally. The earthy tones in the tapestry remind us of a changing land, while the spirals and flowing lines carry the voice of water fighting to survive.
“Flow of Memory” is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with the environment and how art can be a voice for change. It bears Hala’s personal imprint—her journey from Iraq to Sweden to the Netherlands—while carrying a universal message about the importance of preserving water and land. Visit the exhibition to experience this piece up close and join the conversation on how art can inspire change.
More information about the exhibition see the Roots Foundation