The Oud Abaya installation draws its origins from a vivid dream, where raw oud wood appeared ablaze, its flames embodying both pain and transformation. This dream unlocked a long-buried memory of a woman whose life ended in fire, her untold story shaped by silence and societal pressures. The imagery of the burning oud connected the woman’s struggles to the spiritual essence of the tree, creating a profound link between human grief and nature’s sacrifice.

The oud tree, deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, naturally produces its resin as a defence mechanism. However, to meet growing demand, these trees are deliberately wounded to force the resin’s production. This act of scarring mirrors the hidden wounds of the woman’s life, emphasizing the shared pain between humanity and nature. The dream became a bridge between the spiritual calling of the tree, the weight of her story, and the exploration of loss, resilience, and memory

Burning the Oud Abaya releases the oud’s rich and potent fragrance, creating a sensory experience that commands attention. The fragrant smoke, traditionally associated with reverence and celebration, takes on new meaning in this context. It becomes a vessel for mourning and reflection, carrying her story into the air and transforming pain into acknowledgment.

The deliberate use of a significant amount of raw oud raises questions about value. The oud’s material worth contrasts sharply with the immeasurable value of the life it honours. The burning forces viewers to confront the tension between what is seen and what is felt, between the tangible allure of the fragrance and the intangible weight of grief.