Abdi-Boragi's Les Femmes d'Alger (The Women of Algiers), 2022, is an oil painting derived from a still image of a documentary captured during the artist's journey to Algeria to pay homage at her grandmother's grave. This candid portrayal captures four women, adorned in traditional Amazigh attire, engaged in a communal lunch.
"When I saw the timeless beauty of this scene while editing my documentary, I had a revelation and immediately recalled The Women of Algiers by Delacroix and Picasso, and thought to myself: I ought to do my version as well. As an Algerian woman, I must respond to these masters and develop this conversation. Who are the women of Algiers today?" (Abdi-Boragi)
Within the painting, the women, all of Amazigh descent, embody resilience, with three having endured the trials of the Algerian War of Independence. Despite their varied religious beliefs and marital statuses—ranging from Christian, Muslim, atheist, to divorced—they unite in traditional garb, sharing a meal of couscous.
Unlike the earlier interpretations by Delacroix and Picasso, Abdi-Boragi's rendition eschews the notion of women as mere possessions or objects of desire within a harem. Instead, it portrays them as independent individuals, liberated from patriarchal constraints, finding solace and strength in each other's company. Through this serene depiction, Abdi-Boragi celebrates the freedom and fortitude of Algerian women, encapsulating a sense of empowerment and unity. This work stands as a contemporary testament to the enduring spirit of the women of Algiers, offering a fresh perspective on their resilience and identity.
