Canadian artist Johanne Allard's series A Feast in the Ruins, 2022, explores the socio-political landscape of the Levant and Arab region and the complexities of these nations' histories, marked by conflict, upheaval, and resilience. Part of the A Feast In The Ruins series, these samples of embroidered works on paper serve as fragments of a larger narrative woven into metal moth sculptures. Allard views embroidery as a form of documentation. Each stitch intertwines with the essence of the sculptures; these embroidered fragments whisper tales of resilience and transformation, mirroring the intricate dance of life amidst the ruins.

Bomblet (Lebanon) encapsulates a fragment of embroidery extracted from the Cedrus Libani Cluster Moth sculpture. It is a poignant reflection of the 34 days of conflict, in 2006, where South Lebanon was carpeted with cluster bombs. These insidious remnants of war were ubiquitous, found ensnared in trees and scattered across every conceivable corner. The artwork weaves a narrative poem into its fibers, stylized to evoke the form and motion of a cluster bomb detonating. Each stitch bears witness to the harrowing echoes of conflict, capturing the essence of destruction and resilience entwined within the fabric of memory.

Circling Drones (Iraq) captures a fragment of embroidery extracted from the Mesopotamian Moth sculpture. Rooted in ancient Sumerian beliefs, the people of Mesopotamia once feared the wrath of Anu, the god of the heavens. However, in modern Iraq, this ancient angst has transformed into a new source of dread: the fiery onslaught brought forth by drone strikes - during US Invasion of Iraq in 2003-2011.While the U.S. administration claims precision in targeting terror suspects, human rights groups contest this assertion. Through delicate stitches, the artwork confronts viewers with the sobering realities of modern warfare, where ancient mythology intersects with contemporary conflict.

Strikes from Above (Yemen) captures a fragment of embroidery from the Qamariya Moth sculpture, reflecting the grim reality of a Saudi-led campaign of economic isolation and airstrikes against Yemen - 2015. Embroidered with missiles featuring traditional qamariya windows (called so in reference to the Arabic word for moon, since they allow in moonlight and block others from looking in), it highlights the indiscriminate destruction of archaeological and religious sites. Through delicate stitches, Strikes from Above confronts viewers with the harsh impact of aerial warfare on Yemen's heritage and civilian population.