blue burka

2019
Acrylic on Canvas
24×24 inches

“Blue Burka” is the representation of a dream. During the war in the Middle East, I had a close relationship with a person involved in intelligence. While he was away, I dreamt that he was a colossus in a blue burka, striding across the burning city of Kabul, and I was a fire djinn residing in his mind. It is a painting of intense connection to this person, and also my personal feelings of conflict regarding the burka and the role of women in Islam.
The burka, to my mind, represents the negation of a person. Although this is a highly debated topic, my personal experiences with those who choose to wear the burka have held this to be true. In my personal philosophy, nothing is more important than the ability to be a fully realized and independent person. The colossus burka is overcoming her status as non-person, triumphing over the destroyed city. The djinn are a magical race in Middle Eastern tradition, dwelling in a spiritual dimension but involved in human affairs.
I am the djinn in the colossus’ mind, inspiring and guiding the resurrection of womanhood. Overlying the painting is the Rub-el-Hizb, the “seal of the prophets,” the eight-pointed Islamic star. It relates to the ancient Sumerian word for God and is utilized in the facilitation of the recitation of the Quran. The symbol binds the image together as prophecy for fated liberation of the women of Islam.