• Mohamed's research on oasis ecology guides his hand woven practice
• He sources fibre from palm frond waste discarded by local weavers
• His practice is dedicated to defending the threatened oasis of Gabes

Through natural dyeing and weaving techniques, Mohamed Amine Hamouda creates abstract sculptures and installations from the heart of the Mediterranean’s only coastal oasis in Tunisia. Seeking a tactile practice with unconventional materials, he focused on work that reflects his values and culture. Mohamed's practice honours the endangered saaf bouhattam palm species native to Gabes, home to a rare oasis threatened by industrial pollution. He boils, beats and cards palm frond waste into paper and cord, which he then dyes with natural pigments he extracts from local plants sourced in traditional markets. Holding a master’s degree from the Higher Institute of Arts and Crafts of Gabes, he now teaches there while using his art as a form of advocacy. "Through my work, I defend the oasis and its culture. My goal is to shed light on its fragile richness," he says.