The Tie That Binds
Las Vegas, 1961
The tie that binds is friendship. Camaraderie. Empathy. Compassion.
"Are You Sure?" -- Gouache on paper.
"I Knew There Was Something Fishy About Him" -- Gouache on paper.
Growing up in a typical Egyptian family house, women were nurturers, present, and dotting, while men were, quite literally, out of the picture--both physically and emotionally.
It was a women's village that raised me as a child and supplied my imagination with stories. Nothing grand or incredible like superhero stories. Just the seemingly-mundane, day-to-day human experiences they had throughout their time on earth.
There was never a dull moment with my aunt and mother talking over tea and biscuits at the end of the day; or grandma recounting her first encounter with grandpa for the millionth time without it ever sounding repetitive; or my auntie telling of that time she first knew what love is, or how her husband's childish temper ruined their dinner date, or how delicious the fish she had at her mom's a few days before the latter's Big Sleep still lingers on her tastebuds, full of her mothers undying love...
Even during college years, it was young women who would be drawn to Meemee, probably repeating the same familial pattern they knew all too well, to talk about everything and nothing. To confide with her an innocentm naïve admiration, an agonizing heartbreak, or rave about the amazing new pastry shop that just opened around the corner.
Inspired by that fascinating, unspoken bond between women, and employing my self-soothing obsession with the aesthetics of the 1960s to discuss it, I try to capture the womanhood behind the glitter and glam---the flesh, blood and stories hidden under layers of razzmatazz, sequin, feathers, and merchandized sex ozzing off of every hip sway.
"I Told Her to 'Buzz Right Off', Babygirl." - Gouache on cardboard
The intention of "Vegas, 1961" is to portraty women, especially those who work in the entertainment or sex industry, through the eyes of a female onlooker who was always dazzled by their glam and intrigued by the disdain their society (and, surprisingly, fellow women) harbored towards them. An onlooker who, through her own human experience, can't help but see them beyond their commercialized bodies and flashy costumes.
"Vegas, 1961" is meant to evoke an emotional familiarity in the spectators--one that is free of prejudices--and to ignite their natural, human curiosity enough to ponder on the stories the ladies depicted seem to be sharing among one another, through catchy titles for each piece.
The excution of "Vegas, 1961" includes creating some of the memorable costumes and accessories depicted in the paintings and showcasing them all side by side.
"What did you say, Sugar?'-- Gouache on cardboard
"Yeah The Medicins Seem to Be Working" -- soft pastel on paper
"Guess Who Else is Well-Endowed.." --Gouach on Kraft paper.
"It's Been a Long Day!" 1 -- Gouache on panel
"It's Been a Long Day!" 2 --Gouache on panel
"Diapers? Girl, We're Up Next!" --Gouache on canvas
"You Be Good a Boy, Now!"--Gouache on canvas
"But I Haven't Seen Her All Day."--Gouache on paper