During my residency at Sharjah Art Foundation in 2014, I was struck by a particular sight—the shoes lined up outside mosques. This simple practice, separating footwear from the sacred space within, highlighted a profound dichotomy between the sacred and the mundane. The shoes represent a threshold, a point of transition between the profane outer world and the spiritual interior. They symbolize our human filth and sins, marking the separation between our physical existence and the spiritual realm.
This observation, coupled with my walks through the souqs of Sharjah, inspired my upcoming installation. In these markets, shopkeepers engage in ritualistic practices, such as burning bakhoor to ward off envy and protect their businesses. These practices, though mundane, hold significant spiritual meaning and illustrate a fascinating intersection between daily life and spirituality.
