My Grandmothers and Their Stories

Artist: Noura Aldhaheri / نورة الظاهري

Size: 20 x 20 cm each (Triptych, 3 Panels)

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

A triptych exploring three generations of Emirati women. In the first panel, a single woman appears in a vibrant red dress, adorned with traditional jewelry and surrounded by a luminous field of color — the portrait of a grandmother who silently carries the story of an entire era, in which women played a fundamental role in building the home, family, and community. The second panel presents a woman in a pink dress at the center of the composition, surrounded by details of the burqa, jewelry, and traditional ornamentation; the color gives her a warm, feminine presence, while the clothing and jewelry become a visual language recalling traditional Emirati life. In the third panel, three women of different ages and distinct presences stand together, symbolizing the continuity of generations — the grandmother, the mother, and the daughter. Their clothing differs in color, yet the burqa, jewelry, and traditional dress unite them through a shared identity. Together, the three panels become more than portraits — a visual story passed down from one generation to the next.