Maryam Yousif: Mishwar | Project Room

Mishwar, an Arabic word that translates to journey or short trip, speaks to the journey through time Yousif's work takes as it lovingly reinterprets timeless relics. Charismatic and colorful, Yousif draws upon devotional artifacts of the ancient world which she modernizes with a playful contemporary flare. Her work often features female figures, handbags, and palm trees, each with connections to cultural tradition ranging from 2900 BCE to today. In her seamless blending of exaggerated 80's power shoulder sleeves worn by Middle Eastern pop singers with standing worshiper figurines of Mesopotamia, humor and reverence meld.