Five Women 2021 embodies the tension between private and public identities, capturing a moment of transition in Saudi Arabian society through the sculptural arrangement of materials. Blending fabrics generally used for the lining or unseen components of women’s garments with industrialised mesh and netting, Nazer evokes the subtle shifts experienced in navigating between inner lives and exterior environments.

Nazer, who studied fashion and design, uses the conceptual and technical skills of patterning – and the complementary processes of creation and deconstruction – to reflect the stories of five different women. Identified only by their initials, these women shared specific memories tied to an item of clothing worn at a formative moment in their lives, which Nazer then recreated in sculptural form. As personal expressions of vulnerability, each of the forms resonates deeply with the societal changes in Nazer’s homeland – notably, increased access to public life for women. Balancing strength and fragility, Nazer captures a moment of passage that is both personal and collective, celebrating women’s resilience and ability to evolve in the face of change.