Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Muslima: A Powerful Exhibition

An array of head-turning art made by Muslim women will stay in an online exhibition indefinitely. We find out more about some of the talented artists...

Staff Writer

All too often,Muslim Wwomen are painted in cliche stereotypes that make them appear as unequal, oppressed victims in a male dominated world. It is true that woman have an uphill battle when searching for independance and at times just to be heard, but thankfully there is website out there that is looking to change this negative image. Introducing Muslima: Muslim Women's Art & Voices, an amazing global online exhibition from the International Museum of Women. The website is a platform that exhibit a collection of thought provoking pieces and artwork from empowered, contemporary Muslim women from all around the world. The exhibition originally debuted in March 2013 and ran through to December 2013 and was met with so much support, that they decided to leave it available online indefinitely.

By exploring work from artists, activists, and voices from a broad spectrum of Muslim's realities and identities, this exhibition is uniting Muslim woman from all parts of the world, while challenging the perceived notions that has casted a dark shadow over Muslim women's opinions and expressions, resulting in a powerful and colourful statement that is barely ever made.

Here are some of our favourite pieces:

Hannah Habibi Hopkin (United Kingdom)

Hannah Habibi Hopkin has been described by The Times as "thought-provoking" whilst The Arabist Magazine called the work "immensely refreshing." In 2011, she won the 3FF Urban Dialogues Artist Award for her works Illumination and Chasing Paradise. In 2012, she was short-listed for the Mica 'My Place On The Isle' Best British Emerging Artist Award.

Muna Hyunmin Bae (South Korea)

Muna Hyunmin Bae, born 1989 in South Korea, currently resides in United Arab Emirates. She converted to Islam in 2009 and began her personal works about Korean Muslim women wearing Han-bok, a traditional costume. The main purpose of her work is to represent that Korean tradition is not distant from the Islamic practices.

Saba Chaudry Barnard (U.S/Pakistan)

Saba Chaudry Barnard is a first-generation American woman from North Carolina. Her artistic perspective draws from her experience growing up Pakistani and Muslim in the United States. Her focus is on the universal human experience, and she uses her portraits of Muslim women to demonstrate that diversity is not a separating factor, but a place to begin connection.

Feriel Bendjama (Germany/Algeria)

Feriel Bendjama was born in 1980 near Dresden, Germany. She grew up in both Germany and Algeria and now lives and works in Berlin. She explores the topics of cultural and religious identity, maternity, and health in her photography and video work.

Soufeina Hamed (Germany)

Artist Soufeina Hamed translates everyday issues in and out of the Muslima community into humorous and imaginative illustrations.