Imago (2023) | Roudhahamad

Imago

2023

Oil on canvas

A set of works that refer to the final stage of an insect's development typically winged. In psychoanalysis, it refers to an idealized mental image of someone, particularly a parent, which influences behaviour on an unconscious level. These definitions work as parallels to investigate the human condition concerning its environment and one’s independence from it. The works delve into themes of resourcefulness, transformation, and the intersection of the environment and our ancestors.

Pearl (2023)

Oil on Canvas
60x60 cm

The magnification of a pearl shifts the focus to its historical role as both a currency and a vital resource for livelihood. The emphasis is on how pearls, once crucial for survival and trade in the UAE, embody both beauty and rarity forged under adverse conditions. This perspective highlights the pearl's dual nature as a symbol of resilience and a valuable commodity in times past. The color schemes, warm and playful, accentuate the pearl's ethereal qualities, underscoring its significance beyond mere ornamentation and into the realms of economy and sustenance.

Sprout (2023)

Oil on Canvas
60x90 cm

In portraying the emergence of new life in an arid and unexpected environment like Siji, the artwork focuses on a solitary sprout thriving against the odds. It illustrates resilience and adaptability, emblematic of the harsh yet nurturing conditions of our ancestors. This piece imbues the ordinary process of growth with a sense of wonder and fantasy, transforming a simple natural occurrence into a powerful symbol of endurance and vitality in challenging environments.

Cocoon (2023)

Oil on canvas
100x120 cm

This illustration, depicting a moth emerging from a shell rather than the expected pearl, creatively reinterprets themes of resourcefulness and transformation. It subtly alludes to pearls as a traditional resource, highlighting the unexpected ways in which nature and circumstances can yield surprising forms of sustenance and growth. The artwork challenges conventional perceptions of value and survival, evoking a deeper understanding of how resources, often taken for granted like pearls, can manifest in unanticipated and transformative ways.