Exploring Maternal Love Through the Lens: Aman Ali’s Profound Photographic Journey
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
In an evocative intersection of art and familial bonds, Abu Dhabi-based photographer Aman Ali captures the essence of maternal love in his latest photographic series, “Labours of Love.” On display at Manarat Al Saadiyat until September 1, this compelling body of work presents a sincere homage to the pivotal role of women—mothers, aunts, and cousins—through the intimate portrayal of their hands, which narrate a story of care, labor, and devotion.
Aman Ali observes the world through a lens that seeks to capture not just the superficial beauty of his subjects but also their lived experiences. His photographs portray hands in various states of activity—kneading dough, folding laundry, stirring pots, and, poignantly, resting in prayer. Each position conveys a story of tireless dedication and hidden sacrifices made by these women throughout the years.
The photographic series is part of Ali’s broader project, the Family Portraits series, which he began developing during a dedicated four-month residency program for emerging artists at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This nurturing initiative provides a platform for artists to experiment, grow, and showcase their work in a vibrant cultural setting. Ali’s series stands out not just for its emotional depth but also for its meticulous execution; he chose to shoot entirely in black and white, believing that color would detract from the true narrative of his subjects’ hands.
“I first considered doing it in color,” Ali reflected in a recent interview with Aletihad, “but I realized that would take away from what I wanted to show—the texture of their hands, the lines that hold the weight of years of care.” This thoughtful approach frames the photographs in a way that invites viewers to engage with the subtleties of each image—layered with emotional significance and historical context.
The inspiration for “Labours of Love” arose from a seemingly simple moment when Ali’s mother applied hand cream, allowing him to observe the slow passage of time visible in her hands. “I started thinking about how much these hands had done for me and my siblings,” he explained. “From cooking to playing with us, to sitting quietly in prayer for our health and success, they’ve always been at work for us directly or indirectly.” This realization fueled Ali’s desire to depict those very hands, illustrating the connection between love and labor.
Ali’s choice of medium also plays a crucial role in the impact of his work. Shooting with a medium-format camera and utilizing just two rolls of film—which translates to only 24 exposures—demands a level of precision and foresight. “With film, you don’t have the luxury of retakes,” he noted. “You have to plan everything in advance—lighting, timing, even the angle of the sun. I wrote down each shot weeks before taking it.” This discipline lends an authenticity to the final images, underscoring his commitment to capturing the essence of his subjects as they are, without digital alteration. Remarkably, Ali has embraced his color blindness as an artistic strength rather than a limitation. “I don’t really edit any of my images because I want people to see things how I see them,” he shared, emphasizing that his perspective is not diminished by his inability to perceive color in the conventional sense.
“Labours of Love” resonates deeply within the cultural context of the UAE, where familial ties and respect for maternal figures are held in high regard. The series serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of women in nurturing and sustaining families, particularly within the diverse and dynamic communities that make up the region. By shining a light on the hands of these women, Aman Ali’s work encourages us to pause and reflect on the innumerable sacrifices that underpin our lives, urging a collective appreciation for the quiet yet powerful strength embodied by mothers everywhere.
As the exhibition continues at Manarat Al Saadiyat, it stands not only as a visual representation of labor and love intertwined but as an invitation for visitors to engage in a dialogue about the significance of maternal presence in their own lives.
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