This series narrates Dana’s pursuit of autonomy from her community’s constraints, only to be groomed into another form of exploitation abroad. It features two six-panel, hand-painted Abayas: the first, featuring the word “Trafficked,” is consumed in a symbolic fire ceremony, representing the arduous journey of reintegration—a path not all survivors can traverse, as many are compelled to return to their traffickers. From its ashes emerges the second Abaya, inscribed with “Years of Stolen Youth,” symbolizing the profound loss of time.

Each panel represents an individual’s story, collectively forming a narrative tapestry. In the subsequent series, Orphaned, the removal of a panel symbolizes turning the page to another narrative, highlighting the ongoing evolution of these interconnected stories. This progression mirrors the transformative journey initiated in the Oud Abaya, exploring themes of dissolution and renewal.