ARTIST STATEMENT
This painting was created during a time of self-reflection. As a child walking around the bazaar with their aunt, Norah remembered a few words said by their aunt, “الحرمه مثل القماش الأبيض، أي شياء يصيبها، تلطخت للأبد” “a woman is like a white fabric, anything that touches it will stain her forever”. These words have haunted the artist throughout their journey of recovery of their childhood sexual assault trauma.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Norah Mohammad Fahad Al-Qahtani is a Saudi-American artist, their work delves in political, interpersonal and cultural trauma. Norah was raised In Riyadh, part of a Bedouin rooted family. Their parents, Dr.Mohammad (actively imprisoned) and Maha Al-Qahtani, are human rights activist fighting for all human and civil rights in Saudi, which is reflected in their work. Due to their parents background, they have not been active in fear of being stalked and harassed. however after their father was suppose to be released in 10/23/2023 and now is deemed missing, the frustration of their unheard story has lead them to come out and finally speak after years of fear driven silence.
© Norah Mohammad Fahad Al-Qahtani