Pearl Necklace
2019
Freshwater pearls, plastic pearls, underwear gusset
Mother of Pearl
2019
Mother of Pearl, lace underwear, metal bar, fabric
Map of a Pearl
2019
Digital print stitched on a bra
Noura centered on creating this series of artworks about a concept that was very close to her identity being an Arab woman from the Gulf uncovering relation of pearls to womanhood. The artworks came to be as a result of conversations related to the value we, as individuals place on woman bodies, and that manifested into exploring the notions of womanhood and virginity. What makes a woman a woman? what is femininity? and what is in the importance of virginity with regards to woman?
This piece considers the rich heritage of the UAE with the pearl, a materials that has been desired by the west for a long time. The UAE history of pearl diving and pearl trading and the relationship of that with the symbol of a pearl. Through this research, Noura wanted to celebrate woman bodies and to open a discussion about the societal pressure woman go through in the region.