Published on 2nd March 2013

The Hijab Series

by Boushra Almutawakel
2008 - 2012

I have been working on the Hijab series since 2001. This work is based on my personal observations and experiences in Yemen and elsewhere with the veil and the socio-policitcal implications of this iconic symbol. In this series I question or challenge the accepted views and stereotypes on the veil both in the West and in my culture.

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • Can you see or decipher one's emotions simply from their eyes?

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • This is the second True Self I have created translating Nawal Sadawy's observation that women who wore the veil and women who put on makeup are the same in the sense that they hide their true selves.

  • What If... comprised of 7 images, is the manifestation of my question, "What if the men were the ones who had to veil?"

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • Mother, Daughter, Doll is comprised of 9 images, looking at the trend of extremism over the past few years in Yemen as reflected in the veil.

  • The laws in France re the veil are incongruent with the values and principles of tolerance, democracy, human rights, liberty, and freedom of choice.