Najaax Harun, SL

Women, whose lives are progressing within, and parallel to, an ever-present patriarchal structure. But, also women who are acutely aware of how their existence is often misunderstood as a cultural norm; how the Western gaze, lacking in historical context or profound cultural understanding, looks upon them as powerless victims. They are not victims. Najaax reveals to us the power, resistance and sexuality of her subjects.

Born in the aftermath of a civil war that prompted a mass return to their homeland now known as Somaliland, Najaax’s formative years unfolded in an environment marked by a conspicuous shift in the expressive dynamics of her community. The post-war era witnessed a palpable reticence compared to the pre-war period, particularly in the realm of artistic expression. This transformation serves as a poignant backdrop to Najaax’s creative pursuits, as she revives and illuminates the dormant stories that lie beneath the surface of her community’s collective consciousness. In doing so, she contributes to a broader dialogue about the impact of historical events on artistic expression and the enduring power of storytelling in shaping cultural narratives.

Within one woman, a lineage of women is entangled.

Every woman carries within her all the eggs she will ever have, by the time she is four months in the womb. Literally connecting her existence to that of her ancestors, each of us has spent five months within our grandmothers’ wombs, linking us to the collective experience of womanhood and its burdens. The physical body of a woman holds a sentiment of confinement. “If only I were a man”, are words echoing through generations, capturing a pervasive yearning for liberation.

Najaax’s work is an act of profound courage. Painting with raw, expressive honesty, she uses taboo motifs like nudity and violence to deconstruct systems of oppression. In a society where silence is demanded, Najaax’s paintings becomes a defiant unveiling – challenging deeply rooted norms that suppress women’s autonomy, and reclaiming the body as a site of vulnerability and power. She transforms painting into an act of self-liberation.

Each stroke carries a sharp undercurrent of sarcasm, exposing the truth behind international stories of resilience and defiance.

These works are from her most recent series titled HAGOOGTIR—meaning “unveiling” — reflects Najaax’s resolve to illuminate the obscured realities shaping women’s existence. Committed to breaking the silence that has veiled these issues around the world, Najaax draws on her own experiences as part of the post-civil war generation, witnessing the persistence of outdated norms. Her paintings becomes a personal mission, shining light on entrenched patterns and provoking introspection. It stands as a beacon, challenging the status quo and inviting a dialogue that inspires transformation toward a future of authenticity, awareness, and enlightenment.