This work comes from Pacita Abad's Door to Life series, consisting of works inspired by the artist's time in Yemen, which have not been exhibited since their creation in the 1990s. Abad was particularly inspired by the stained glass gamariya windows and the "exquisite doors" of traditional Yemeni architecture. Abad created this work using a mirror embroidery technique that she learned during her time in India in the 1970s. Abad’s adoption of these forms and techniques arose not only from an admiration of their craftsmanship and beauty, but also a sense of political solidarity with cultures that had endured colonial histories. Weaving inspiration from her travels into the canvas, Abad creates an ode to the places and people that inspired her work.