George Lewis

George Lewis is a British photographer whose work between 2007 and 2011 in the Middle East illuminates the complexities of gender, power, and identity in Islamic cultures. During extended stays in cities from Amman to Karachi, he focused on portrait series such as “Behind the Veil” and “Hidden,” framing women in traditional black burkas against dark, minimal backdrops so that only their eyes emerge—evoking both anonymity and agency.

Through these images, Lewis explores questions of freedom and formality, using carefully staged juxtapositions to invite viewers into cultural landscapes they may never otherwise encounter. “I aim to reveal something unexpected as well as beautiful in these images,” he explains, “providing insight and context for the social environments they denote, while offering an injection of humor and surprise.”

Lewis’s portraits of men and women in regional dress have found their way into distinguished private collections, from the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom to the Maharaja of Jodhpur. His photographs continue to spark dialogue about tradition and transformation, demonstrating how a single frame can challenge perceptions and celebrate the dignity of its subjects.