Resonance I, 2022
Aphra Shemza in collaboration with the public
Materials: UV painted board and UV light
Dimensions: 2.4 x 2.4 m
Resonance is inspired by the wall and gate motifs found in Anwar Jalal Shemza's City Walls series, which drew upon the geometry of Islamic architecture. Reinterpreting these recurring forms, Aphra Shemza creates a suspended lattice sculpture inspired by the jali screen, the perforated stone screen characteristic of South Asian architecture.
Traditionally, jalis provided privacy while allowing light and air to pass through buildings, creating intricate patterns of shadow and defining the relationship between public and private space. Shemza reimagines this architectural form through fluorescent materials and ultraviolet light, transforming it into a contemporary installation that changes in appearance as viewers move around it.
Developed through co-creative workshops with members of the public, Resonance explores how visual languages can transcend generations, cultures and artistic disciplines. Through light and collaborative making, the work creates a dialogue between past and present, allowing Anwar Jalal Shemza's geometric forms to resonate through new interpretations and shared creative experiences.