Salma Barakat is an Egyptian-Greek designer and artist who works across mediums. Her visual languages encompass block montage, collage and gestural ink strokes — which, alone, or combined, express textural planes and dimensions, exploring physical and spiritual landscapes.
Through her work, Salma seeks to marry contemporary design with traditional craft, producing novel representations through timeless forms of production, thus bridging cultures and worlds.
PHOTO BY THOMASJPG IN SIFNOS ‘25
Under the practice Ba she collaborates with Egyptian artisans to translate her designs into flat weave cotton and wool tapestries using traditional pedal looms.
She is currently based between Cairo and Athens, and is available for commissions or collaborations.
Ba began in 2022, as a socially driven practice, collaborating with artisans in Egypt to preserve and evolve traditional weaving.
The name Ba is inspired by the ancient Egyptian concept of ‘ba’ meaning each soul’s unique imprint transported between worlds.
Ba Atelier pieces begin as analog compositions, later translated into handwoven kilims by artisans in Egypt using pedal looms. Together, they form a dialogue between form and textile. Operating within art, textile, and social design, the practice creates limited-edition rugs and tapestries that merge contemporary composition with traditional weaving.
Salma works with the artisans in a workshop run by a charity organisation in Atfeeh village that supports underprivileged women through skills-building and regular employment.
Ba is committed to producing and exhibiting across borders. Previous exhibitions have taken place in Amsterdam, Athens, Hydra, Cairo and Jeddah.
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