Threading Time - a solo exhibition by Hajja Nazwa

All photos courtesy of Oaga Art Resort

Threading Time - a solo exhibition by Hajja Nazwa, presented by Moo Gé at Oaga Art Resort, opened earlier this month.

Hajja’s work is inspired by the overlooked moments in everyday life—the details and textures we tend to miss. What began as a form of art therapy to reconnect with herself has evolved into stitched stories that honour her homeland, culture, and memories. Her hope is that viewers will slow down and notice the details - colours, lines and textures - and maybe find a memory of their own reflected in her work.

Hajja has always loved capturing the beauty of everyday life through photography, and embroidery came into her life as a grounding, meditative practice. Combining the two felt natural – seeing through both the lens and her hands. Photo embroidery allows her to merge memory, emotion, and detail, creating a quiet conversation between image and stitch.

She began her photo embroidery journey five years ago, initially as a form of art therapy. Her first pieces were stitched onto historical photographs from the Dhivehi Archives, connecting past and present. Over time, she started stitching her own photos, capturing simple moments from daily life, and realised this was where her artistic voice truly felt at home.

 While many of her pieces are special, the ones stitched from her own everyday moments are the closest to her heart. They hold memories and emotions she can’t always express in words, with each stitch acting as a small act of remembrance. Every piece honours a specific moment or feeling.

 The process requires patience, especially since she stitches on paper rather than fabric. It’s slow and emotional, as she navigates both joyful and difficult memories. The biggest challenge has been trusting the process and letting each piece take shape in its own time, but that slowness is what makes photo embroidery so meaningful to her.

Looking forward, Hajja plans to continue exploring the connection between photography, memory, and stitch. She hopes to work with new subjects, create larger pieces, and keep sharing stories of island life, honouring the small things and the quiet beauty of her culture.