Lalla Essaydi: Harem

Lalla Essaydi: Harem at Edwynn Houk Gallery. "...Born in Morocco, Lalla Essaydi has been examining the role of the Muslim woman by incorporating layers of Islamic calligraphy applied by hand with henna, in tandem with poses directly inspired by 19th Century Orientalist painting. By appropriating this imagery, the works reflect the 'complex female identities' found in Morocco and throughout the Muslim world."