My Sido always smiled. It would light up the whole sky, as bright as the sun, as radiant as the moon. My Tata always keeps her heart and home open. She is the warmest soul and the strongest human I know. Immigrating to Flint, Michigan in 1971 with their five kids, they remained rooted to our culture, our history, our people. Their memories passed down to their children and grandchildren have nourished me my whole life. 

My Yaba always puts his family first, working long, strenuous days to give his three kids a better life than he had. More education, more opportunity, more safety. It is from him that I learned how a creative passion can fuel my life, allowing me to love what I do and do what I love. My Mama always dances with her heart, laughs with her whole body, finds adventure wherever she can. It is from her that I inherited my love of water, my love of picking wildflowers, my love of the moon.

It is through them that I hold onto the beauty of their homeland, the homeland of their families Srouji, Bathish, Farah. It is through my pottery that I share that homeland with you all. We will remain as the poppies and the olives remain. We will grow amidst the rubble. We will stay rooted to our land, our culture, our people. We are steadfast. We are strong. We are Palestinian. 

Rooted through the poppies. 

Rooted through the olive trees. 

Rooted through our language.

Rooted through the memories.

Rooted through the martyrs.

Rooted through the moon.

Rooted through our families.

Inshallah, we’ll be free soon.

Connect with Eman:

https://emansroujiceramics.com/

https://www.instagram.com/eman.srouji.ceramics/