Neon Burka Outlines

by Tehmina Khan

We asked Peshawar and Lahore based artist Noormah Jamal to describe three of her recent works in her own words. From neon burkah outlines to her grandmother’s trick of spotting married vs unmarried women while growing up in her village, we get an insider understanding of the symbolism and the stories behind her fantastic works.

‘Totem’

“The neon burka outlines show societal conformity. How one is in the outline while the other is growing out of hers”

‘Totem’ is one of the largest works in my show. It’s painted on wasli with gouache and pigment. It shows experiences/growth/development. It could be the life journey of a person or then three generations of the same bloodline.

The neon burka outlines show societal conformity. How one is in the outline while the other is growing out of hers. Strong/resilient.

‘Ogora, chata?’

“‘Ogora, chata?’ is translated to ‘look, at who?’ It’s loosely based on three sisters. One married and content. The other two stuck in expectation”

My grandmother had told me that while she was growing up in her village there was a very easy way to tell which girl was married vs which ones were young and unmarried. If she had a fringe, she was not committed. If her hair was parted or braided to the side she was a married woman.

‘Ogora, chata?’ is translated to ‘look, at who?’ The central figure on her clothing has the text mata repeated. Meaning ‘at me’.

It’s loosely based on three sisters. One married and content. The other two stuck in expectation. In a limbo of wait. The resentment, insecurity, everything that comes with what is expected of you.

‘yesterday’

“The tiles, like fridge magnets, can be moved around. By changing the placement of the tiles, the viewer can change the whole narrative of the work”

‘Yesterday’ is an interactive work. It’s acrylic and resin on magnetised terracotta tiles. I use a lot of symbolism in my work. I don’t like to dictate what each symbol means to me. The beauty about using a symbol is that each person has a different association because of a personal experience. Rain for some is a blessing. While for others it’s gloomy and bothersome.

The tiles, like fridge magnets, can be moved around. By changing the placement of the tiles, the viewer can change the whole narrative of the work. About what it could mean to them.

Originally displayed like a barbie doll set with the figure and all the accessories displayed next to them.

Noormah Jamal’s works were originally displayed in a duo exhibition, ‘Where Do I Begin?’, at Dominion Gallery at The Colony, Lahore earlier in the year. She featured with another upcoming artists, Khadijah Rehman.