1001 Prayers, 2013

Diameter is approximately 2 feet  

Ink and paper wrapped in silk and tied with metallic thread

Throughout the Muslim world prayers are wrapped around fabric, tied with string and worn on the body. In Urdu these are called a taweez. I wrote 1001 individual prayers, wishes and thoughts that came to mind while I was making the piece.

The title is derived from the book, "One Thousand and One Nights". A book that is a collection of folk tales from the Muslim world. Specifically, the work was collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, South Asia and North Africa. The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.

I chose this work as a prayer for all women and girls on earth to feel and be safe. May all girls live to accomplish all of their dreams

Mona Kamal