Grandeur Amid Decay
Why Al Balad? Al Balad is home to amazing architectural buildings that were built with coral, limestone, and hand-carved wood back in the 7th century. This is the uniqueness of Al Balad and as a result, in 2014, Al Balad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alas as time has passed, the quality of the buildings have begun to deteriorate and, in some cases, now lie dilapidated and in ruins. However, there is a restoration process underway in Al Balad to preserve the buildings that are the heart and soul of Jeddah.
Based on the above, this exhibition highlights the decline of the buildings and at the same time, it showcases the beauty that lies within the ruins of the buildings.
It also displays the potential of a building to remain beautiful and magnificent even though it is falling apart or in ruins. By capturing these images, I am affirming that there is grandeur amid decay. The images represented in this exhibition, were taken between 2015 and up to February 2023. This exhibition, Grandeur Amid Decay is a homage to all the residents of Al Balad, past and present and may their homes always keep them safe.
This exhibition entitled, “Grandeur Amid Decay” is based around an area of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia called, Al Balad.
