chrysalis series

'i-islam' project is a genuine self documentation of the intimacy of a path: the personal discovery of Islam. From my lonely ‘apprenticeship’ of the rituals and my dependence on mobile phone's Islamic applications for recitation of the Quran to the surge of freedom and ease found within the faith, photos and digital collages document different steps of an intimate whispered dialogue and illustrate the interconnectedness of the ritual practices and the ethical teachings. While Islam is often portrayed unkindly in the media, this project also aims to display the peaceful nature of the religion and focus on its teachings of good moral conduct. After initially tip-toeing, I finally found much more freedom in prayer and I continue to sore through my own spiritual journey. The 'Chrysalis' series focuses on the prayer dress. While wearing it I feel a paradoxal sensation of security and liberty, feel not less a butterfly inside this chrysalis. It is the simplest garment but when I went to buy it, I felt like a bride choosing her dress.