Women of Steel

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Women of Steel focusses on women, who despite considerable achievement in the face of patriarchal and often racial barriers, are remembered for controversy and often discussed through gendered criticism.

The methods employed in the “Women of Steel” series reflect the apparent titular paradox of traditional femininity, represented through the use of crocheting, but with a material that is both tough and durable – steel. The work gains a further dimension through the use of lighting which casts shadows between and across the wire sculptures. This duality of light and shade further reflects the dichotomy of achievement and controversy encapsulated by the women portrayed.

Women of Steel was longlisted in the Oaktree and Tiger Ashurst Art Prize and was a featured piece in the University of Edinburgh’s Dangerous Women Project.

Women of Light

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Women of Light focusses on Muslim women who are axiomatically perceived to be subordinated and hidden by their faith, and particularly their dress, when in reality it is their faith that drives them.

The Women of Light series obscures the character and features of the subjects through the use of one colour making reference to how Muslim women are prejudicially perceived as hidden or subordinated by their faith. And yet to counter this misnomer the use of intense, luminous colours emphasises that for these women their faith is empowering and a source of light. The subject serves to further challenge misguided perceptions of Muslim women, in this example being Onjali Rauf, who following the murder of her aunt Mumtahina Jannat, single handedly led the setup of the ground-breaking women’s rights charity Making Herstory.

Women of Light #1 was longlisted for the BP Portrait Award 2016.