Clay Civilization: Daily Work

Kamal Oghly

Negative Film Fuji 400 ISO, 30 x 45 cm, Private Collection

Mud architecture has a long and noble history going back millennia to ancient civilizations. In modern Syrian society, however, it also symbolizes poverty and the government’s denial of basic services for its inhabitants. In 2007 before the onset of the Syrian civil war, I photographed more than 90% of Syria’s villages. Located far from the cities, many of them are marginalized and forgotten. Years of war have destroyed most of these houses.