Arewa is a portrait project following the intimate relationship of Falquez and Arewa Basit, a transperformer & activist based in NYC. Through this ongoing portrait series, Falquez explores thephysicality of Trans individuals. She uses fabric to explore different facets of growing, blooming &becoming oneself. Fabric becomes the way in which Falquez is able to transform the way in which theviewer perceives Arewa, almost as if her existence transcends history & her representation - & allforms of trans identity- in Western art. This series is about the endurance of Trans beauty, which has thrived and existed since prior to western civilizations. The framing, a 6 in. overmatt raw silk frame, is part of Falquez' ongoing exploration of framing as a wayto materialize and re-frame photography.
Arewa has been shown in Frieze (Los Angeles 2022), NADA (Miami, 2023), The Armory (New York 2024)
