Untitled 1995

Here is a mixed media drawing on paper made by Houria Niati. The image is dominated by a piercing blue eye, a symbol as old as time itself. Think of ancient Egypt, where the Eye of Horus offered protection and power. Now, shift your gaze across centuries and continents. The watchful eye appears in myriad forms, from the Renaissance vanitas paintings reminding us of mortality, to the Surrealist canvases exploring the depths of the subconscious. The eye, a universal symbol of perception, knowledge, and divine watchfulness, taps into a collective memory. Niati's use of this motif, coupled with the gestural marks, evokes powerful emotions related to surveillance, awareness, and perhaps even vulnerability. The cyclical nature of symbols ensures they are never truly lost. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, continually engaging viewers on a profound level.