Do You See Me? and Seen delve into themes of identity, transformation, and the quest for acceptance encapsulated in two interconnected artworks: a stop-motion video installation and a clay sculpture.
Seen, 2025.
Stop-motion video,
1:00 min loop.
The video captures the dance between the struggle of self-discovery and the desire for visibility, embodying the complex relationship between vulnerability and strength. The clay sculpture, a tangible counterpart to the video, echoes the layers we build around ourselves in defense, serving as a reminder of our unique narratives shaped by societal structures, defensive yet transformative.
Do You See Me? 2025.
Air-dry clay with light bulb,
16*20*15cm
As the mollusk coats intruders in layers of nacre to form a pearl, so too does the work reflect the journey of turning pain into beauty, an act of resilience against the pressures of societal norms. Like pearls formed from irritation, this body of work reminds us that beneath societal expectations lies a unique self, deserving of recognition and acceptance, celebrating the human experience of resilience that leads to the alchemy of turning our struggles into profound beauty and authenticity.
"As I sculpt, I become acutely aware of the tension between the freeing presence of intuitive creativity and the compulsion to perfect forms, driven by a desperate need to prove my worth. In this struggle for acceptance and belonging, I reflect on memories of bullying and feeling like an outcast—experiences that haunted me during childhood at school and continued into adulthood in the workplace.
Nature deeply inspires my sculptures, particularly the process of pearling in this work. Unlike gemstones that form under pressure, pearls develop when an intruder enters a mollusk's shell, transforming a perceived threat into a stunning, opalescent sphere of nacre. This transformation captivates me; despite their diverse appearances, pearls are composed of the same materials as the shells that surround them, highlighting a shared essence.
The unique shapes of each shell illustrate adaptability, mirroring how our individual journeys are influenced by our different environments. This body of work is dedicated to healing my inner child, who grappled with rigid societal structures and emotionally distant authoritative figures. Through my art, I transmute past pain into beauty, inviting others to embrace their own stories of resilience and authenticity."
Audio produced by Fatima Binsafwan, an Emirati-Honduran artist and songstress celebrated for her powerful voice and warm timbre. Blending R&B soul with Middle Eastern jazz, She draws inspiration from her mixed heritage and transforms her experiences into a sonic and visual expression. In 2019, she opened for Bruno Mars on New Year’s Eve, and in 2020, she collaborated with Sony Music MENA and Riot Games on “ANTA AL BATAL,” the Middle Eastern release for VALORANT. With a master's degree from Berklee College of Music, Fatima has performed at prestigious events such as the Forbes 30/50 Summit, NBA, Smithsonian, NYU, and alongside Kamasi Washington. Passionate about supporting fellow artists, she aims to inspire those who find solace in her music.