Behind the veil of stoicism

FOR all the rhetoric about the Middle East and its depiction as a volatile region, photographer Rania Matar is one who sees a different picture.

"I have a foot in the West and the other in the Middle East - I am a product of both," says Matar, who was born in Lebanon but is currently based in America. "This means I speak the language, understand the culture and love the people," she adds.

So in reaction to what she often observes in mainstream portrayals of the Middle East, Matar has put together a collection of her previous works to form an exhibition titled Ordinary Lives: Women of the Middle East. This solo photo exhibition will be on display at the Alliance Francaise Societe Generale Gallery this month in celebration of International Women's Day.