The World Is Our Sanctuary (Lower Panel)

After 2020’s pandemic lockdown that forced us into our homes, I wanted to reflect on and honor the gratitude and blessings that actually came from that experience. I also was preparing myself mentally for perhaps a similar scenario for this year’s Ramadan. This is The World Is Our Sanctuary, a two-panel, top, and bottom set. In general, in my work, I am conscious of my prevailing question of what makes a home. So although this pair addresses my lockdown experience in the U.S., it still calls to my inner longings to represent home visually. I am therefore drawing from my faith as well as from my physical experiences and memories with my extended family in Tunisia. The view here is from a mental window onto our world filled with signs for humankind. On a quick count, there is a minimum of eleven Quranic references such as the light (lantern), the figs and olives, birds, and ships. Within the arches on the bottom panel, I have alluded to the phases of the moon which signify the beginning and end of the month. The mosque is that of Masjid Zitouna in the capital of Tunisia, the sea calls of the Mediterranean, and even the carpet is a traditional pattern one may see in the city of El Jem known for tapestry. The lockdown prevented us from travel keeping many of us at home longing for loved ones, and some stranded, separated, and homesick. I think it is through these hardships that we are able to be grateful for one another and become more aware of our environment and disparities. There is hope for our world’s full recovery while we recognize that each one of us has spiritual work to do.