Fulla 2010

Boushra Yahya Almutawakel's "Fulla," it seems to me, uses photography to explore ideas around culture, identity, and representation, particularly within the Islamic world. Look at the way Almutawakel positions Fulla, a doll similar to Barbie but designed for the Middle Eastern market, in this group of women. The layering of identity here makes me consider what it's like to be the artist making work about cultural identity. There must have been such a sense of responsibility and sensitivity in thinking through all the cultural connotations that are at play. The artist here is almost a conductor of meaning, arranging elements to provoke thought and dialogue. The photograph really invites a lot of readings, and I appreciate how she creates a space for these diverse understandings. Just like in painting, there is so much room for imagination and individual interpretation, and the artist taps into this in a way that is generous.