THE MUSLIM WORLD ON YOUR DOORSTEP EXHIBITION: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES

The Triptych
lays subtly before us
ethereal white
barely there

The veil hides femininity but woman’s essence is still present. From each angle the female is viewed, the shape which is indicative of Muslim culture. To hide that much is alien to me as a western woman. To be free in expression is something I have taken for granted.

In fact clothes and my outward identity have helped me through many a difficult period in my life. I lost myself when I didn’t dress for 11 months, no longer did I have a connection with the world. Yet now I try to find some softness through clothes, sourcing organically produced fabrics, kinder to ourselves, our soul and planet.

So, maybe for me, the jilbab covers too much. Making for an androgynous figure. Although, I am told, the women feel secure in their dress, offering what is called hijab: modesty.

Our outward identity is a powerful force in this world
It is inside the layers that our faith burns brightly



Footnote:

Triptych: art consisting of a painting or carving on three panels (usually hinged together). In this instance it was 3 large scale photographs of a woman artist wearing the jilbab.

Jilbab: In modern day usage, jilbāb (Arabic جلباب) refers to a long, flowing, baggy overgarment worn by some Muslim women.

The modern jilbāb covers the entire body, except for hands, feet, face, and head. The head is then covered by a scarf or wrap. Some women will also cover the hands, feet, and face.