Sarrah’s artistic practice explores issues of her mixed Sudanese/British identity and cultural practices particularly relating to the treatment of women. She has used a mixture of printmaking and textiles, combining and layering imagery and textures. She uses natural pigments from Sudan, including henna, sandalwood and hibiscus to dye the fabric. Calligraphy, a key element of art from the region, also plays a part in her work, which includes calligraphic markings and forms. She has exhibited at group and joint exhibitions including Forward UKs Hidden Scars at Darnley gallery, Lon-Art Sheroes at Ugly Duck, Inspired by at Morley Gallery, Crossing.
ARTWORK
If you are not cut, 2019
Mixed media – Photo-etching on paper and textile, embroidery, wire, print
- If you are not cut…. I £375
- If you are not cut…. II £475
- If you are not cut…. III £375
- Now we are six – II £475
- Tahour £75
- Wedding night £475
- Now we are six £950
“The beauty and strength of Sudanese women has inspired my work, which aims to highlight harmful traditions and practices against women and girls such as FGM and child marriage still carried out in many patriarchal societies, including Sudan. Despite this, women in Sudan are subject to laws which dictate how they dress in public and require them to have a male relative’s approval to marry or divorce. Women and girls are also subject to traditional practices which violate their human rights such as FGM although it is illegal, and child marriage, which is still legal in Sudan. FGM is an extreme form of discrimination and violence against women. Many believe that FGM (called ‘Tahour’ in Sudan) is a religious requirement, although Islam prohibits doing harm to a woman’s body. As part of the recent protests, women and men are calling for equality – let’s hope this revolution leads to real change in women’s everyday lives and not just in the political arena.”
