“Working Towards Something”

Photos of Tamino-Amir Moharam Fouad by Tim Coppens- Antwerp, 2019

Art is distinctly personal in its significance and its creation. I’m not often inclined to document each stage of a painting because, well- it’s not good until it’s done. Even then, I’m not satisfied, but I’ve learned it’s best to shut my mouth and not tell anyone what I think about it- that goes for cooking too. Let them make their mind up on their own. You saying it’s terrible out of self-preservation won’t help your case.

In this case, though, I’m glad I stopped to take a few haphazard photos here and there. It’s interesting to see what details were (thankfully) corrected or (sadly) got lost in the process. It’s a bit like watching yourself grow up. Some things you wish you could change, others you’re glad developed into something you can be proud of.

I was so drawn to Tim Coppen’s incredible portraits of Tamino Amir because of the depth he captured in his eyes- the photo of Tamino’s eyes closed was particularly significant to me. The contrast between the two, the intensity of his open eyes, and the immediate sense of peace you get from seeing his eyes closed struck a chord.

It’s incredible how much emotion is present in our eyes and the eyes of others which we mostly choose to ignore. I often find myself making efforts to avoid eye contact because it almost feels like an invasion of privacy. There’s so much you can choose to see or not, and you have to be emotionally prepared to take it all on.

However, seeing someone with their eyes closed feels like being let in on a secret they trust you enough to keep.