Halimatu Iddrisu’s Shrouded Mysteries (The New Norms) is a commentary on the cultural connotations and perceptions that shape how religion is interpreted and how autonomyis perceived. Iddrisu addresses issues of identity, beauty and attire from her perspectiveas a young liberal Muslim Ghanaian woman.

In some Islamic communities in Ghana henna patterns are historically drawn on thehands and feet of women as a form of adornment for occasions like weddings, namingceremonies and Eid celebrations. In some approaches to how Islam is practised in these Ghanaian communities, it is mandated that once the henna is applied on the body it is to be covered and only shown to a woman’s close family members. However, young women in Zongo communities in Kumasi and Accra deviate from this mandate as an expression of freedom. Inspired by these young women and her upbringing in a strict Islamic household, the work that Iddrisu has created for this exhibit focuses on her embrace of Muslim women in Ghana who are breaking out of conservative dressing norms.

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