aren dou
Born and raised in Tunisia, Aren Dou is an artist whose work embodies transformation. Inspired by the events of the Arab Spring and her own quest for self-understanding, she uses poetry and film photography to explore the ever-shifting nature of identity and relationships. Like the Tower card in tarot, her art represents upheaval and the potential for profound change. This is evident in her collection "Annotations," an emotional exploration of love, loss, and the search for inner peace.
ANNOTATIONS
"Annotations" delves into the tumultuous dynamic between an anxious and an avoidant partner—the chaser and the runner—and the inevitable unraveling of their unsustainable connection. Framed by the poignant imagery of Greek mythology, these poems explore the complexities of love, loss, and longing through fragmented verse and a stream-of-consciousness style. Accompanied by evocative photographs shot on expired film, mirroring the expiration of the relationship itself, "Annotations" invites readers to witness an intimate journey through memory, time, and the search for self.
my heart is packed like a pomegranate
"My Heart Is Packed Like a Pomegranate" is a series of seven black and white photographs exploring the liminal space of diaspora. It is a visual narrative of the profound absences—of home, of belonging, of self—in the non-linear journey of migration. Developed and scanned by aren dou herself, each image is a testament to the ongoing process of unbecoming and becoming. This project is an externalization of the longing for connection, the hope of finding a community to share my pomegranate with.
poems
aren Dou's poetry is a tapestry of raw emotion, fragmented memories, and surreal imagery. The work explores the complexities of relationships, the search for identity, and the weight of unspoken words. The poems are an invitation to delve into the liminal spaces where mythology and personal experience intertwine.
photographs & prints
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