Ardh — Reem Falaknaz

2024 ︎ Ardh, an open-air photo studio, it it’s first edition was set up in Kalbuh in Muscat. This was a collaboration between myself and Safa Al Baluchi. Safa’s grandfather, a porter and fisherman, was linked to the sea. Whilst Safa’s grandmother engaged in the trade of fabrics on land, at Souq Muttrah. Safa’s textile piece was initiated and inspired by reflecting on her ancestral practices. She drew inspiration from talismans and motifs embedded in her Baloch culture. The motif of a mythical fish's eyes is present and it acts as a silent witness.

This act of witnessing continues with myself. Using Safa’s textile as a backdrop, I photographed the diverse communities of Oman. These photos will serve as an archive and a record of a city’s collective memory.