In this work I am attempting to dismantle the collective and historical “Orientalism,” the western view of the Middle East, to represent it in the female form, which was so often used in the traditional painting of the Orientalist period of art.

When I view the Orientalist paintings of the 19th century, I feel like I am in a surreal world that has blended realistic elements with an imaginary world of fantasy. An example is when semi-nude women are portrayed as standing in markets where no one takes any notice. It is as if the paintings of Da Vinci or Michelangelo have been transported romantically to an Arab setting.

In my work I am reflecting on the Eastern cultural awareness being developed through these Western perceptions that still exist. I am attempting to re-launch the aesthetic of Orientalism to reflect the reality of today’s “Orient.” This New Orientalism does not imply cultural control or imposed Western perceptions but embraces the evolution of media, communication and globalization.There is no pure aesthetic, it cannot be contained or partitioned, but is a legacy of both Oriental and Western cultures bridging together and as such is the beginning of a new contemporary artistic experience