Mother and I 2008

Houria Niati’s artwork, Mother and I, explores themes of identity and cultural displacement through the lens of personal experience. Niati, an Algerian-born artist, uses mixed media to overlay a photograph of herself and her mother with Arabic calligraphy and English text. The layering of languages represents the complex negotiation of identity experienced by many immigrants. Niati’s work confronts the orientalist gaze, challenging stereotypical representations of Arab women. The phrase, “What do you want from me my de friend, I want her back,” speaks to the artist’s sense of loss and longing for connection to her homeland, which is very powerful here. Niati’s art becomes a space where personal and political narratives intersect, inviting viewers to contemplate issues of diaspora, belonging, and cultural representation. The artwork is not just an image but an emotional and intellectual journey.