Shabbat Queen
Video with Raquy explaining the symbolizm and techniques of the Shabbat Queeen
18” x 24”
In this recent self-portrait, Raquy is depicted seated in full lotus with her darbuka with the word “Malaka” in Arabic which means “Queen”. Her feet and hands are decorated with henna. Glowing behind her are Shabbat candles and shes surrounded by seven golden orbs known as duraklar in Turkish. Beneath the figure flows a musical phrase in 7/8 meter, drawn from Raquy’s melodic composition called “Bewitched”.
The stage-like background is decorated with flower, leaves, vines and “rumis” which are stylized decorative motifs characterized by curved, drop-shaped, and wing-like patterns derived from animal and mythical creature forms in Islamic art.
Combining music, sacred symbolism, and the centuries-old tradition of illumination, Shabbat Queen reflects Raquy's distinctive artistic vision.
The work is created with genuine gold, watercolor, and gouache on 300 gsm acid-free archival cold press watercolor paper.
Raquy’s composition “Bewitched”, an excerpt of which is notated in the painting:
