Maral Sheuhmelian

Embroiderer

©Ani Khachatryan

Saving Armenian embroidery from extinction

Maral learnt embroidery from her grandmothers
She uses rare Armenian embroidery techniques
Embroidery is her cure to all difficult situations

Maral Sheuhmelian is an embroidery artist from Aleppo who moved to Armenia in 2015 as a Syrian-Armenian refugee. Her passion for embroidery became a full-time occupation while she settled in Armenia. She inherited her embroidery skills from her grandmothers and Maral jokes that even before she was able to walk, she could already work with a needle. She used to embroider to decorate her home – making home accessories and clothing for her family was her greatest passion and a way of life. She excels in traditional Armenian embroidery techniques – like Svaz, Van, Ourfa, Marash and Aynteb. Every stitch she makes challenges the injustices she has felt and celebrates her cultural heritage and its survival. The techniques that she uses are on the edge of disappearance and were passed through the generations of Armenian women who were moved from their homes. Maral’s aim is to revive Armenian embroidery by teaching the next generation of young women.

Interview

©Ani Khachatryan

©Ani Khachatryan

Where did you learn embroidery?: My embroidery skills were passed down from both my grandmothers. My grandmother would give me a needle and a thread with complete trust and without any worry that I could get harmed.
How did embroidery become your permanent job?: In 2015, we arrived in Armenia as refugees. My embroidery became my hope and my therapy. I started to teach embroidery and took part in many events and masterclasses which gave me an opportunity to learn more varieties of embroidery.
How does embroidery help you in your daily life?: First, it is my source of income. Secondly, it is my inspiration and has helped me deal with some of the many difficulties I have encountered in my life. Whenever I had challenges and sad moments, the response was to stitch. I never imagined that one day it would be my profession.
What are the variations of traditional embroidery that you use?: I practice Armenian embroidery techniques like Svaz, Van, Ourfa, Marash and Ayntab which were passed through the embroidery traditions of Western Armenia. These techniques were a way of survival for Armenian women and I am passionate about passing my skills to the youngest generation of Armenian women.

Maral Sheuhmelian is a master artisan: she began her career in 2015 and she started teaching in 2015