The Mother 1961

Louay Kayyali made ‘The Mother’ in the mid-20th century and I can only imagine how it came into being, shifting and emerging through trial, error, and intuition. The gentle brushstrokes and earthy palette make me sympathize with Kayyali and wonder what it must have been like to create this piece. Perhaps, he was thinking about texture, color, and surface, how these elements shape our experience and contribute to the emotional resonances of the work. I am drawn to the way the mother's veil falls; this gesture communicates a feeling of tenderness and care, as if Kayyali was embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations. It reminds me of work by other painters, like Paula Rego, who explored family and power relationships. It’s as if artists are in an ongoing conversation across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.