ESRAA MOHAMED
Esraa Mohamed Finding inspiration in the mesmerizing spiritual trance of Sa'idi Sufi gatherings, Esraa Mohamed’s surprising and wonderful series of paintings portray the melodic dance, rhythmic stupor, and communal reverie of such congregations. With a smear of paints and blur of colors, Esraa portrays the men as a unified group in their dance and prayers, heads and arms swinging and swaying, eyes closed and mouths open with murmurs and ululations to Allah. These are intimate scenes, and as private as the experience itself. But Esraa’s art places us not far away as observers but in close quarters as participants, pulling us into her giant canvases. In other artworks Esraa reveals and explores her feminine side, with a pastel palette and gentle renderings that are both lovely and promising of more to come. —D.N.
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