Mashrabiyya 

Rashid Al Khalifa's 'Mashrabiyya' reimagines a classic element of Islamic architecture through a contemporary lens. The work is dominated by a series of geometric screens, echoing the intricate latticework traditionally used to provide privacy and shade. These screens, known as 'mashrabiyya', were traditionally more than just architectural elements. They symbolized a threshold between the private domestic space and the public sphere, embodying notions of modesty and seclusion. We can trace similar architectural features through time and across cultures – from the veiled women depicted in Renaissance paintings to the hidden gardens of ancient Rome. This interplay of concealment and revelation speaks to our collective subconscious, resonating with the primal human desire to see and be seen, while maintaining a sense of privacy. The mashrabiyya screens invite us to consider the ever-shifting boundaries between public and private. The motif has resurfaced and evolved, demonstrating the cyclical progression of cultural symbols.