Italian Maïmouna Guerresi travels the world to find the diverse subjects that she features in her mystical portraiture. She also draws inspiration from the local religions and culture in each region.

Guerresi who has traveled extensively throughout Africa, was first drawn to Islam and converted after a trip to Senegal in 1991. Islamic symbolism, as well as symbols from Christianity and Judaism play heavily in the larger-than-life portraits that she creates without the use of Photoshop.