Unveiled Portfolio

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UNVEILED Sara El Assaad

Transcript of Unveiled Portfolio

UNVEILED

Sara El Assaad

ARTIST STATEMENT v  I am caught between two contrasting ideas of sensuality. On one hand, I see

the covert sensuality that is reflective of my Middle Eastern heritage. This

sensuality lies within the importance of love and familial ties, in keeping with

the values of a traditional Middle Eastern family. It also lies within the realm of

Islamic religion and history. Although Islam was never pushed on me, it is

something I have grown to appreciate. On the other hand, I see a more overt

sensuality that permeates Western culture. Because I grew up in both Europe

and the United States, the idea that clothing that exposed skin was taboo or

otherwise outside of the social norm never occurred to me until recently. It is

the contrast of these two perspectives on sensuality that I try to capture in

these works.

v My focus on these paintings is not on the face and who the person may

be, but is instead focused on the body and what it may represent to someone.

The figures are all draped to a certain extent, giving a sense that they both

want to express their sensuality while simultaneously remaining within the

parameters of their culture’s social norms. The sequence in which they were

painted goes from mostly veiled to almost completely nude, with hints of

what is used to drape them. This was done to suggest that the female figure

is breaking cultural boundaries as the series progresses. The subject of the

paintings does not fully let go of one side of her cultural background,

neither does she fully embrace another side of her background. She is a

product of her upbringing in the same way that I and everyone else is.

Oil on Canvas 60”x72”

Oil on Canvas 33”x50”

Oil on Canvas 22”x26”

Oil on Canvas 22”x28”

Oil on Canvas 30”x40”

Oil on Canvas 40”x32”