Article by Twala, 1 July 2026
“El Meya, Reclaiming the Gaze
The Algerian painter turns the conventions of Orientalism against the images they have produced. In her large-scale works, women are no longer presented to the viewer: they think, withdraw and reclaim their space.”
El Meya, flanked by two works from her ‘Blue’ series. In her large-scale works, the Algerian painter seeks to liberate female figures from the poses and gazes inherited from Orientalism. Video screenshot : Alya Art Gallery.
