Mahir Siraj

Berekhet (blessing)

In essence, this painting, with its dramatic light and abstract forms, can be viewed as a visual meditation on the enduring theme of Blessing. A blessing can be considered as the bestowal of good fortune, an expression of gratitude, or a divine favour. With deep roots in the Semitic traditions, oral folklore, and religious symbolism, the idea of Blessing is evident in many facets of Habesha culture, a culture of peoples commonly located in the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and from which I originate. Within this cultural setting, a blessing has a particular attachment of spiritual significance. My painting takes reference from this cultural perspective and explores the spiritual nature of blessing. Is it a divine entity that provides blessings, or is it the sheer human projection that sustains the concept? Growing up in a cultural setting that strongly believes in divinity as the ultimate source of blessing, I explore this perspective with utmost respect and let it have a part in my creative practice. Yet, through a critical exercise, I also notice the role of human imagination in weaving narratives to make sense of life’s complications and absurdities. Hence, my painting titled Berekhet (blessing) is created with such a contrast in mind.