Beyond the Veil

Women's Role in Qatar and Bahrain Society

Beyond the Veil examines women's evolving roles in Qatar and Bahrain society and how the growing stresses of modern lifestyles have changed their status and function both within the economic structures and social status of society. From work, home and diverse social settings these images focus on contributions each woman brings from different generations of society, the traditions they carry and their relationships with those surrounding them.

Over 3 months I documented the lives of 10 women through each decade of life, with women ageing from their early 20's to late 70's in both Qatar and Bahrain.

Beyond the Veil is part of an international project in the Gulf region commissioned by the British Council entitled My Father's House - The Architecture of Cultural Heritage. Other commissioned British photographers include Tim Hetherington. The high profile exhibition is scheduled to start in Yemen in 2008 and will tour the region for three years.