Safety

Falak Al Gazzi

Fumage, soot on paper, 48 x 38 cm, Private Collection

When I was a young teenager in Damascus, I found a baby bird in my school’s garden. I took him home, and slowly got him used to me until I was able to feed him right from my hand. The trust he showed me gave me a beautiful feeling. In order to feel safe, you have to be able to trust that other people and the government aren’t going to hurt you. Inspired by the ‘fire paintings’ of Canadian artist Steven Spazuk, I use the flame of a candle to create paintings with trails of soot and smoke.