Reclamation

Nairah’s current body of work presents a compelling exploration of the contrasts between cement and clay, emphasizing how material informs meaning. By utilizing cement, a man-made construction material, she engages with themes of standardization, mass production, and the relentless pursuit of profit in urban life. The use of iconic house shapes from the board game ‘Monopoly’ serves as a powerful critique of the loss of individuality and the homogenization of living spaces, particularly in the context of growing housing schemes. The minuscule, cast cement houses layered together evoke a sense of stagnation, despite their association with concepts of home and community, highlighting their impact on natural landscapes. On the other hand, clay, a naturally occurring material, symbolizes a reconnection with ancient wisdom, indigenous roots, and human interconnectedness, where miniscule clay vessels are individually shaped on a pottery wheel, symbolizing humans as containers that should be in constant flow. The use of clay is also influenced by religious beliefs from Islam and the Bible, where it is believed humans are made of other worldly clays.