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A woman's thoughts.jpg

This work results from 5 years spent living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.   It was forbidden by law to write, photograph or document any aspect of life in The Kingdom while a “guest” there.   In defiance of this, however, I kept diaries in secret, conducted interviews and compiled a visual journal. The work produced is loosely based on my 5-year relationship with a Saudi woman related to the Royal family, “Fatma X”, and views from the windows of various apartments and villas resided in and visited over this period. What results is a perception rarely seen, and almost never penetrated, of a part of the world rarely visited.   Images of astounding ordinariness, daring to defy a stereotype. Closed to the rest of the world, it is a place viewed with an increasing culture of fear. 

Addendum: A simple type-written line provides reflection about the aesthetic qualities of the letters, regardless of their intrinsic meaning. However, this meaning is impossible to ignore when it comes into conflict with a message that cannot be ignored, no matter how hard we may try. 9/11 pre-ordained what previously was assumed hidden. The innocent, blinded by grandeur and greed, caught unaware of a growing hegemony of immense strength and resolute determination that had previously, patiently waited for a justice they believed was never to come.

Little girl caught in the crossfire.jpg

Little girl caught in the crossfire

2000, Mixed media on museum grade fine art paper - 83cm x 62cm

Saudi Arabia is to gender what apartheid

Saudi Arabia is to gender what apartheid South Africa was to race

2000, Mixed media on museum grade fine art paper - 75cm x 95cm

The Kingdom deconstructs.jpg

The Kingdom deconstructs

2001, Mixed media on card - 62cm x 83cm

The Towers Collapse.jpg

The Towers Collapse

2001, Mixed media on card - 83cm x 62cm

Untitled - I.jpg

Untitled - I

1995, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 83cm

Untitled - II.jpg

Untitled - II

1995, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 83cm

Untitled - III.jpg

Untitled - III

1994, Mixed media on museum grade fine art paper - 83cm x 62cm

Untitled - IV.jpg

Untitled - IV

1992, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 83cm x 62cm

Untitled - V.jpg

Untitled - V

1990, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 83cm

Untitled - VI.jpg

Untitled - VI

1989, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 83cm

View from window of Arab Bathroom.jpg

View from window of Arab Bathroom

1985, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 83cm x 62cm

Shutters.jpg

Shutters

1982, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 76cm x 62cm

Study of shutters.jpg

Study of shutters

1980, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 76cm

Window with shutters.jpg

Window with shutters

1979, Gouache on museum grade fine art paper - 62cm x 76cm

The balcony - Sensi building.jpg

The balcony - Sensi building

1984, Mixed media on museum grade fine art paper - 83cm x 62cm

Diaries of Fatma X a).jpg

Diaries of Fatma X a)

1979, Papier colle & Text - 49cm x 46cm

Diaries of Fatma X b).jpg

Diaries of Fatma X b)

1980, Papier colle & Text - 49cm x 46cm

Fatma X - 2.jpg

Fatma X - 2 

1979, Papier colle & Text - 49cm x 46cm

Meeting in the souq.jpg

Meeting in the souq

1979, Papier colle & Text - 49cm x 46cm

The portrait.jpg

The portrait

1981, Papier colle & Text - 49cm x 46cm

A woman's thoughts

2001, Mixed media on card

 100cmx 150cm

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