Lake 2014

Inbal Abergil made this photograph, called ‘Lake’, sometime after 1976. Abergil is known for staging scenes with personal objects and toys, often referencing her experience as an Israeli in the diaspora. Here, a stuffed camel is placed against an ornate, paisley backdrop. Camels, of course, conjure ideas of the Middle East, while paisley is a Western appropriation of Eastern design, becoming popular in the West during the colonization of India. The juxtaposition of the toy camel with the colonial-style fabric suggests the complexities of cultural identity and the artist's own negotiation of these themes. Consider the intimacy of a plush toy, often a childhood companion, set against a manufactured backdrop. It evokes a sense of longing and displacement. Abergil's photograph prompts us to reflect on how we construct our own identities through both personal experiences and inherited cultural symbols. Ultimately, the artwork invites us to consider the emotional dimensions of cultural heritage.