Faculty of Art

Photography

Zuhra Mohammad Amin

The Intimacy of the Mundane

The Intimacy of the Mundane will be shown at OCAD University’s 108th annual Graduate Exhibition. This latest photography project depicts ten couples in their shared spaces, documenting the way in which mundane routine exposes the deepest levels of intimacy in human relationships.

“The Intimacy of the Mundane is a photography project that depicts ten couples in their shared spaces, documenting the way in which mundane routine exposes the deepest levels of intimacy in human relationships. This body of work aims to explore a unique aspect of relationships, one that is often overlooked by society. By eliminating the pressures of posing and public presentation, couples were given strict instructions to not alter themselves in any way but rather to spend time together in their home as they normally would. Using these parameters, I was able to capture beauty and authenticity within the everyday moments of these relationships as they were already at ease with each other in their natural state and shared environment. Often when taking photographs of couples such as engagement, maternity, and wedding photography, photographers portray them as if they are in a Hallmark movie or off a Pinterest mood board. As a lifestyle photographer, my approach to narrating a couple’s story has been similar to the way that I produce commercialized images: a faultless representation of people with picturesque backgrounds. My aim within this new body of work is to focus on imperfection and highlight a side of people that they do not display publicly. This portrayal of partnership explores a new vision as couples doing mundane activities such as playing video games, watching television, cooking, spending time on their smartphone, and working, recognizes that true intimacy comes from the ordinary. The ten participating couples involved showcase a variety of different relationships as they are from different generations, are in varied stages of life, and at different points in their relationships. By incorporating samples of varied relationships such as married, with or without children, recently engaged, and those who recently started living together, it is easier to observe the differences between couples. Each photograph is designed to represent the simplicity and authenticity of coexisting with a partner in a space that they have created for themselves. ‘The Intimacy of the Mundane’ was not designed to highlight the span of time a couple has been together for, but rather to show the beauty of effortless intimacy one acquires through sharing the most simple aspects of day-to-day life.”