Solo Exhibition Opening reception Friday, January 10 at 5 - 7 pm

Referencing the tradition of oya (narrow lace trimmings used as edging on headdresses of women and household textiles in the Middle East), the exhibition explores transcultural communication and translation—translation of culture, identity, tradition, and gendered labor. Both oya and ornamentation hold symbolic meaning that is used as secret communication by their creators—mainly women. Similar to the construction of identity, through an additive process of embedding symbols and densely layered imagery, Oya: Borders of History showcases painted and embroidered colorful family portraits. The obscured portraits play with the malleability of identity and cultural representation while combining disparate domestic and fine arts materials, aesthetic traditions, and women’s work.