Philadelphia’s Museum for Art in Wood is exhibiting “The Mashrabiya Project: Seeing Though Space,” which highlights six women with roots in North Africa and the Middle East. Each artist uses contemporary methods to create new perspective around an ancient architectural art form. Mashrabiya is traditionally a lattice or screen constructed of hundreds to thousands of ornately carved or turned wooden or stone pieces. Woodturning is believed to have been developed in ancient Egypt, with the earliest depiction of turning dating as far back as 300 B.C. The interwoven construction of these pieces allowed for seasonal wood movement under drastic temperature changes, and functioned as a way to allow air flow to cool living spaces.

Mashrabiya serves as both a physical and symbolic form of dividing space. It was often used as a way to separate men and women from the public and private eye. The artists bring light to its historical and cultural significance, while intertwining dialogue around how we perceive and interpret designated spaces. With themes from personal identity to social justice, the art takes many different physical and conceptual forms.

“The Mashrabiya Project: Seeing through Space” will be displayed through July 23, 2023, at Museum for Art in Wood, and was curated by Executive Director Jennifer-Navva Milliken. The exhibit features multidisciplinary artists: Anila Quayyum Agha, Nidaa Badwan, Susan Hefuna, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Majida Khattari, and Hoda Tawakol. Recorded discussions from each of the artists will run throughout the show and will be featured on the museum’s website, and upcoming turning workshops will be offered to the public to participate in the construction of a mashrabiya. These will be guided by experienced turners, and welcome to participants with any level of experience. For more information, visit museumforartinwood.org.

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