“Mazyouna” is a colloquial word that means a beautiful woman, but when the beauty of the face is united with the beauty of the soul, the moon’s circle is complete.
In my childhood, my favourite game was to stare at other people’s faces, read their stories, and draw their pictures in my childish imagination. That is why my memory was crowded with faces that I carried with me for seven decades. I scattered them on paper and canvas pieces, showered them with colour, flooded them with inks, outlined them with pens, and engraved them on linoleum pieces, copper, and silk screens.
Throughout all the stages of my life, the woman's face had the largest share in occupying my colourful world. She is the “Mazyouna” that exudes beauty, the source of artists’ creativity, and the muse of poets, remaining the one tattooed with symbols of motherhood, love, goodness, and humanity.
“Mazyouna” is a colloquial word that means a beautiful woman, but when the beauty of the face is united with the beauty of the soul, the moon’s circle is complete. She is the one who propelled me to enhance her adornment, scattering my symbols in her angelic surroundings. I give her giant wings to soar high, defying reality and those who attempt to label her with weakness and surrender.
A lucky fish or symbol of fertility rests atop her head, a dove of peace gracefully navigates her world, a Bedouin tattoo adorns her chin, a palm with a blue eye shields her from envy, and red lily flowers are tucked into the folds of her henna-dyed hair. My “Mezyounat” is a never-ending dream that evolves with each painting. “Al-Mazyouna” departed the realm of myth and story to enter a world raining colour and love.
Thuraya Al-Baqsami
February 2024
Doha
