We are Al-Wah'at, an artist research collective composed of Areej Ashhab, Ailo Ribas and Gabriella Demczuk, based in Palestine, Spain and the United Kingdom respectively.

We are currently working on "Wild Hedges", a three-year project looking into ecological and socio-political complexities the prickly pear cactus and the cochineal insect across multiple geographies and communities.

We have already done work in Palestine in early 2023, where we examined the recent spread of the false carmine cochineal affecting large swaths of prickly pear cactus in Palestine and did initial experiments with pigment making and weaving of dry cactus fibers.

Cochineal farming is not common in Palestine or other parts of the Mediterranean affected by the recent cochineal infestation, and the insect is rather seen as harmful. Therefore, and as part of our artistic research, we are planning to come to Mexico in spring 2024 (most probably in May) to learn about the long history of nopal and cochineal farming there and get practical insights into pigment making and dyeing. Other aspects of our project involve exploring weaving and culinary practices in relation to the cactus. Our aim is to start creating cross-cultural threads between different communities and geographies.