A Thousand Times NO 

Bahia Shehab made this graffiti artwork titled 'A Thousand Times NO' using spray paint in an unknown location. The image consists of a repeated stencil of the word 'no' written in different forms of calligraphic Arabic script, each paired with an image of a blue bra. This piece directly engages with the social and political landscape of contemporary Egypt. After the Arab Spring uprisings, a restrictive environment for women emerged, where their bodies and freedoms became a site of ideological struggle. Shehab's work reclaims public space, using art as a form of protest against the suppression of women's rights. The repetition of 'no' emphasizes a collective resistance to these imposed constraints. Through cultural references and historical associations, Shehab challenges prevailing social norms. The Arabic calligraphy roots the protest in Islamic tradition, while the bra symbolizes the female body and the restrictions placed upon it. By studying contemporary Egyptian history and the role of women in social movements, one can further understand the artwork’s significance. 'A Thousand Times NO' acts as a visual testament to the ongoing struggles for women's rights and the power of art to challenge social institutions.