Naemal Afzal

“Silhouettes” explores identity as fluid and evolving, shaped by different versions of the self over time. Inspired by patchwork textiles, it represents identity as fragments that remain connected rather than as separate entities. Three figures symbolize stages of identity, with apples representing the birth of self and growth, suggesting that all versions of the self coexist within one whole.

“Bari Bojh” (heavy burden) portrays a young girl working on an oversized textile scarf, its patchwork surface representing her lived experiences. The exaggerated scale reflects the emotional and cultural weight she is already learning to carry.

“Lam’bay Baal” (long hair) reflects the experience of navigating beauty standards and expectations in the desi diaspora, revealing both the weight carried and the effort required to maintain them.

“Lines of Tradition” celebrates culture and its beauty through the intricate work that defines it, particularly line work. It highlights practices such as henna, kajal, and textile-making, with hands representing each tradition. The composition connects them through their key materials, a henna cone, thread, and a kajal container, emphasizing unity and craftsmanship.

“Braided Swing” explores guidance and maternal understanding through a larger, almost otherworldly figure whose braided hair becomes a swing for a smaller, doll-like girl to hold onto, symbolizing trust, support, and learning.

“Sona” (gold, a term of endearment) reflects a child placed on a cultural pedestal, deeply valued yet quietly burdened. A chubby hand weighed down by gold jewellery embodies both affection and expectation, revealing how love can also carry pressure.

“Confined Ornament” highlights how parental care and cultural values, though rooted in love, can become restrictive. A tightly packed bangle stand, symbolizing beauty and tradition, begins to resemble a cage, reflecting how protection and expectation can limit personal growth and independence.

Woven In Between