Quest, 2020

Quest” is a series of self-portraits and a video installation exploring the idea that without freedom, human identity exists in a complex, hesitant state. Forced hijab symbolizes this condition by pushing all of a woman’s rights into the invisible realm. The resulting struggle drives the effort to remove the elements that control women’s bodies, regardless of the consequences—even to the point of self-sacrifice in response to this deep sense of oppression.

The subject of this project is misogynistic law, which I address through symbolic materials. Textiles and fibers here represent nurturing and protective qualities traditionally associated with the feminine—yet also evoke a state of imposed inexistence. Stones in the installation stand for the obstacles women face on their journey toward equality. By wrapping them in crochet, their harshness is softened, suggesting these barriers can become less effective. Through exposing this conflict, I hope to invite meaningful reflection on what makes life worth living.