Al Fatiha: The Opening (2023)

Ceramic, Naked Raku, 60 in H x 60 in W x 5 in D

Al Fatiha/The Opening, named after the first chapter of the Quran, is a wall sculpture composed of 99 individual abstract sculptures of portal openings. The number 99 represents the 99 Names of God in Islam. When reciting the Quran, I always saw Al Fatiha in my mind as a single door opening, until one day when I had a magnificent vision of Al Fatiha as a single portal opening instantly multiplying into many more portal openings. The most fascinating, frightening, and unknown territory is that which is inside of us. Al Fatiha/The Opening invites us to contemplate the openings we wish to explore and create in our life, never giving up hope in becoming the most authentic expression of our soul’s higher purpose.

You can watch this short video on Instagram as I describe my inspiration and process: https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVepf7Ntbl/?hl=en