“Kshati” (كشتي ) means “my messy hair” or “my poofy hair” in most of the Gulf (UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, and Bahrain) dialects, and as such carries a negative connotation. The hair is shown unpredictability projected in the inconsistency of handspun yarn.
It is an exploration of my personal journey from girl to womanhood raised in an Arab/ Muslim community. How it impacts my sense of identity and a change in one’s perception of themselves and the way they are around people.
My hair is a big part of me, my personality, and my identity. The curls that I choose to show complete me and are a part of me, in a mental and non-physical manner
The colors are to convey feminine energy, loud and bold. The Ghaf tree, a national tree in the UAE symbolizes life in harsh desert environments. The tree is essential to maintain stability and peace in its setting, The image conveys that even with hard social and cultural pressures I still stand strong with my identity. The photographs showing the Ghaf tree symbolize my link to Emirati culture, embedding my cultural identity within my work.
Process of creating the tapestry.
Mediums:
Hand spun yarn (Alpaca and recycled Sari material)
3D printing embellishment
Tapestry knotting and weaving in forms of triangles
Digital embroidery
She is Who Births One Half of Society and Raises The Other
Exhibited self portraits in 1971 Design space Sharjah 2022
