I grew up in Algiers, where I was fascinated by the mystical whirling dervish dance. I always cherished the memory, knowing that one day I would create a visual tribute to it. Many years later, I found myself in the dancers' dressing room at the Lincoln Center in New York. The small, dimly lit room had its own magic, with costumes and props spilling over every surface, and a grand mirror that had seen so many prima ballerinas that it had started to elegantly fade. Beside the mirror stood a vase of fresh flowers. That's when I had my creative epiphany. The flowers, the dancers' vibrant costumes, and the swirly breeze I felt when the dervishes danced in front of me as a child - it all came together and I knew then how to visualize my childhood's experience. This series was the theme of my solo exhibit at the Waldorf Astoria NYC on September 25, 2014.