Zaina El Said and Mohammad Awwad jointly exhibit at Jacaranda Images, inspired by teachings of enlightened sages on the meaning of life.

The Persian poem ‘The Conference of Birds’ by the 12th century poet and Sufi thinker Farid Ud-Din Attar is the title of this exhibition and one of the inspirations for the works within it. The journey and the meaning of life have perplexed civilizations forever. Writers, religions, individuals have attempted to find an answer, with a handful of people understanding the question sufficiently to reach beyond it. Some call these the ‘Enlightened’ – Rumi, Hallaj, Rabia Al Adawia to name a few. Their exploration and teaching of the ‘truth’ recognises an energy and consciousness from within and that reaches beyond the limits of a two dimensional perception of life.

It is in consequence of the writings left by these sages that the idea of this exhibition came together. Using symbols and visual metaphors the works by Al Said and Awwad explore some of the journey led by the Hoopoe bird in the poem lending a painterly insight to these astounding yet timeless writings and teachings.

Opening day 9 February at 6pm
Exhibition continues till 7 March