Becoming, Haytam sfifa (2026)
A Self-Portrait Diptych.
Memory, Migration, and Identity.
These two self-portraits explore the relationship between memory and identity. The first image shows the inside of my bathroom cabinet filled with personal objects that represent my life and experiences. The camera represents my passion for photography and art. The boarding pass reflects my journey from Morocco to the United States, marking an important transition in my life. Other objects, such as the small American flag and personal items I keep close, symbolize my process of building a life in a new place while holding onto my past.
The second image shows me shaving while looking into the mirror. I chose this moment because shaving is a daily ritual that represents transformation and self-construction. The act of drawing a line with shaving cream symbolizes the idea that identity is something we actively shape over time.
I chose the bathroom as the location because it is an intimate and personal space where people confront their reflection and perform routines that shape their appearance. The mirror also allows the viewer to see both my reflection and my physical presence at the same time, emphasizing the relationship between how we see ourselves and who we are.
The purple and warm lighting was used to create a dramatic and contemplative mood. The lighting unifies both images visually and helps highlight the objects in the cabinet and the textures of the shaving cream and skin. The composition in the first image centers the cabinet like a display of memories, while the second image focuses tightly on the act of shaving to emphasize the process of becoming.
Cabinet of Memory, Haytam sfifa (2026)
The cabinet contains personal objects that represent important moments, memories, and influences in my life:
Baby Shoe (“Cinderella Shoe”) – the only remaining shoe from my childhood pair, a sentimental object my mother kept.
Childhood Photograph – a picture of me riding a bike when I was young.
Moroccan Currency – a reminder of my homeland and cultural roots.
Boarding Pass to the United States – the ticket from the flight that brought me from Morocco to America.
First Phone from Morocco (iPhone 4) – my first smartphone, representing my early life before immigrating.
Silver Ring from My Grandfather – a ring gifted to me before I came to the United States.
High School Graduation Medal – symbolizing my academic achievement.
Jersey City Public Schools Permanent Art Collection Medal – recognition for artwork selected for the district’s permanent collection.
Paint Brush & Paint Tube – used while creating The Last Inning painting.
Field Notes Notebook – a place where I record ideas, sketches, and observations.
Camera and Lens – tools that represent my passion for photography and visual storytelling.
Babe Ruth Bobblehead – a symbol of my interest in baseball and the New York Yankees.
Chicago Train Luggage Ticket – a souvenir from my trip to Chicago (My first trip alone).
John Hancock Building Replica – a small model representing that visit and the city’s architecture.
American Flag from the Citizenship Oath Ceremony – marking the moment I officially became a U.S. citizen.
