Le sel de la main

Vivez une immersion unique au cœur de l’art textile mauritanien, entre création, rencontres et exploration culturelle.

Fractales et symboles : construire son récit textile
Au cœur de ce stage, vous serez guidé·e à travers toutes les étapes de création d’un tableau textile personnel, inspiré des motifs traditionnels mauritaniens.
Vous commencerez par une collecte de tissus au marché, où vous choisirez vos étoffes en fonction de vos envies et des projets. Sébastien, artiste textile, accompagné d’artisanes locales, vous fera découvrir l’univers symbolique du textile mauritanien : motifs géométriques, langage binaire, structures fractales, autant de systèmes visuels riches de sens.

10 jours d’immersion entre création textile, rencontres et paysages du désert
Dans une atmosphère d’échange et de transmission, vous apprendrez à assembler les tissus en patchwork, à composer votre propre narration textile, à intégrer les doublures, à utiliser la machine à coudre ou la couture à la main selon les besoins.

Lors des excursions, de bivouac dans le désert, au marché au tissus de Nouakchott, vous vous imprégnerez de la culture locale.
Durant cet atelier, vous créerez à la manière des femmes qui se retrouvent traditionnellement pour discuter et partager.
Encadré·e tout au long du processus, vous réaliserez un tableau textile unique, reflet de vos découvertes, de vos émotions et des liens tissés avec les mauritaniennes.

De 6 à 10 participants.
Hébergement et atelier à Nouakchott à l’auberge Triskell
Langues parlées : français, anglais, hassaniya (traduction incluse si besoin)

Cette résidence s’adresse à tout le monde, débutants et artistes confirmés.
Aucune connaissance préalable de la couture et fabrication de patchwork n’est nécessaire.

Non inclus :
Vol international
Visa
Assurances personnelles
Dépenses personnelles

Pour plus d’informations, demandez le PDF complet à l’adresse suivante : leseldelamain@gmail.com

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TEXTILE ART WORKSHOP
9–18 February 2026
From fabric to artwork, a textile journey in Mauritania.
Experience a unique immersion in the heart of Mauritanian textile art, combining creativity, encounters and cultural exploration.

Fractals and symbols : building your textile narrative
During this workshop, you will be guided through all the stages of creating a personal textile painting, inspired by traditional Mauritanian motifs.
You will begin by collecting fabrics at the market, where you will choose your fabrics according to your desires and projects. Sébastien, a textile artist, accompanied by local craftswomen, will introduce you to the symbolic world of Mauritanian textiles : geometric patterns, binary language, fractal structures, all of which are visual systems rich in meaning.

10 days of immersion in textile creation, encounters and desert landscapes
In an atmosphere of exchange and knowledge sharing, you will learn how to assemble patchwork fabrics, compose your own textile narrative, integrate linings, and use a sewing machine or hand stitching as needed.

During excursions, camping in the desert, and at the Nouakchott fabric market, you will immerse yourself in the local culture.
During this workshop, you will create in the in the manner of women who traditionally gather to chat and share.

Guided throughout the process, you will create a unique textile tableau that reflects your discoveries, your emotions and the bonds you have forged with Mauritanian women.

In this workshop, you will benefit from the experience and expertise of Sébastien, a craftsman and creator of patchwork pictures. He will share with you his in-depth knowledge of Mauritania, its culture and traditions.
Sébastien Bouhot lives and works in Nouakchott. He is a designer and promoter in manual textile crafts specialising in the manufacture of Kaima tents outdoor tents made of cotton and hammocks decorated with patchwork. He creates handmade textile pieces in collaboration with women's cooperatives that produce handicrafts.

PROGRAMME
The residency will take place from Monday 9 to Wednesday 18 February 2026
Day 1 : Arrival in Nouakchott
• Welcome at the airport • Transfer to the hostel
• Presentation of the programme and the group
• Visit to the National Museum
• Orientation tour of the city
• Welcome dinner
Day 2 : Introduction to Mauritanian textile art
• Presentation of women's work
• Theory on patterns, colours, meanings (fractals, binary, symbols)
• Study of basic information sheets
• Traditional lunch (Tawset)
• Visit to the fabric market
• Purchase of materials according to chosen projects
Day 3 : Departure for the desert – Camp (Arnout)
• Morning departure by 4x4
• Setting up camp
• Exchange workshops and start of textile creations
• Evening campfire, traditional music, outdoor dinner
Day 4 : Return from the camp
• Breakfast at the camp
• Morning relaxation or continuation of the workshop with the women
• Return to Nouakchott around 5:00 p.m.
• Free time at the hostel or optional activity (film, discussion)
Day 5 : Workshop and visit
• Sewing workshop with the women
• Visit to a workshop or cultural centre
• Meeting with local artists or craftswomen
Day 6 : Cultural visits around Nouakchott
• The fishing port
• The camel market (17 km away)
• Discovering the city's iconic tourist attractions of the city
Day 7 : Finalisation workshop
• Continuation of creations with women artisans
• Personalisation of pieces
• Machine finishing if necessary
• Preparation for exhibition or presentation of works
Day 8: Finalisation & Lining
• Fitting linings, sewing and finishing touches
• Work on a Mauritanian patchwork quilt or bedspread
• Option of a short course in sewing on a semi-professional machine
• Free time or informal evening gathering
Day 9 : Free time / optional activities
• Free time for shopping, beach or relaxation
• Suggestions: visit galleries, craft shops, cultural exchanges
• Closing evening with presentation of creations and group dinner
Day 10 : Departure
• Transfer to the airport according to airline schedules
• Option to continue on to Atar and the Adrar as a post-course extension (The Adrar Loop, 4 days €450 per person – minimum 5 people)

PRICE €1,300
• Participation in the workshop.
• Materials and tools for creating your paintings.
• Supervision by a local team.
• Full board (Mauritanian cuisine adapted to visitors).
• Accommodation for the 10 days of the course.
• Transportation for the duration of the course (city and desert).
• Transfers between the airport and the hostel. Hostel/airport
• All activities and visits included in the programme.

From 6 to 10 participants.
Accommodation and workshop in Nouakchott at the Triskell hostel
Languages spoken: French, English, Hassaniya (translation included if necessary)

This residency is open to everyone, beginners and experienced artists alike.
No prior knowledge of sewing or patchwork is necessary.

Not included:
International flight
Visa
Personal insurance
Personal expenses

For more information, request the complete PDF at the following address : leseldelamain@gmail.com