The Veil > An Exhibition by Laura El Tantawy > January 14- February 18th 2013 @gulfphotoplus

From The Veil © Laura El-Tantawy

GPP, in collaboration with VII Photo Agency, is pleased to present The Veil, an exhibition of
photographs by Egyptian photographer Laura El-Tantawy.

Open to the public January 14 at 7:30pm, El-Tantawy will lead two brief guided tours of her
work, first at 8pm and then again at 9pm introducing the exhibition. A more thorough discussion of her photography, touching on multiple projects both past and current will take
place on January 15 at 7pm. Attendance for GPP Talks with Laura El-Tantawy will be free,
but registration prior to attendance is required and can be done online here:
www.gulfphotoplus.com/events/register/blog/570

Through a series of images, The Veil represents El-Tantawy's exploration into this symbol,
aiming to capture images that represent the veil as she remembers from her childhood;
something soft, beautiful and completely feminine. Having grown up in a moderate Muslim
family with the majority of its women adorning the veil, it was impossible for El-Tantawy to
see these strong-willed women as being subject to the symbol that is often portrayed in the
West. These misconceptions portrayed the veil as a form of oppression towards women, one that discounted their ambition, determination, their independence and ultimately their
individuality.

Through The Veil El-Tantawy aims to show that the practice of covering a woman’s hair, and
sometimes face, is not restricted only to the followers of Islam. From India to the Middle
East, women have traditionally adorned some form of head cover as a public display of
modesty. Also female followers of other faiths have traditionally covered their hair as part of
their religious practice, such as with Catholic nuns.
According to El-Tantawy, The Veil can bring women and cultures together – it doesn’t have
to divide them.

* Opening night Jan 14, 7:30pm
* Artist guided tour opening night, 8pm and 9pm
* Artist talk Jan 15 at 7pm (Registration required)