Over the last few years Asad Faulwell has produced a series of works on Les Femme D’Alger: a homage to the forgotten Algerian women who fought alongside their male counterparts in the war of independence from French occupation between 1954-1962.
The artist draws inspiration from Gillo Pontecorvo’s 1966 film The Battle of Algiers, that pays homage to their largely forgotten legacy:their fight against French occupation during the 1954-1966 Algerian war of independence.
Faulwell’s elaborately painted and collaged work employs imagery both beautiful and macabre. Sumptuously coloured and patterned surfaces form the backdrops for his large-scale female portraits depicted in monochrome, wounded and bleeding, sometimes emanating rays or tears from their eyes. These portraits are taken from news clippings and periodicals researched by Faulwell that capture the politically charged events in their lives - such as their trials in French courts or the moments after their pardon. The black and white images in combination with the brightly coloured motifs are reminiscent of Matisse’s decorative patterning as well as those from his own Iranian/Islamic tradition of geometric design or ornamentation.