Eyemotion 2008

Boushra Yahya Almutawakel invites us into a world where eyes speak volumes, a silent film reel of emotions, through a grid of portraits. Each pair of eyes, framed by the stark black niqab, becomes a universe of its own. I imagine Almutawakel carefully composing each shot, coaxing out a spectrum of feelings from her subjects. There is a challenge to express so much with so little; the eyes must carry the weight of the story. The contrast between the black fabric and the expressive eyes is so intense, it’s like a spotlight shining on the soul. I am reminded of Cindy Sherman, how she uses self-portraiture to explore identity and representation. Almutawakel also explores how much can be said through subtle gestures, a raised eyebrow or a fleeting glance. This makes the viewer consider how much we rely on visual cues and the stories they tell. The artwork really embraces ambiguity, and it’s through this uncertainty that we find new meanings.