'Desert Bloom': Interview With Photographer Ismail Zaidy
Working in the creative field can sometimes tire your imagination. Photographs come across your desk continuously with the same camera angles and repeated colour tones with nothing new to offer. Unintentionally you can become cynical and eventually grow a thick enough skin to discern images objectivity with just one look. Model leaning against a New York City brick wall – seen it. Wind machines to make a dress look voluminous– seen it. Blonde girl walking barefoot to show a sense of hipster hardship is seen it, seen it and seen it.
However now and then, an image will come through that will instantly demand a pause and make you think - that is the works of Moroccan artist Ismail Zaidy. Finally, something and someone interesting.
Even though at first glance, you have no idea what these images convey or their purpose – you are immediately fascinated by its unique aesthetic and ponder of how these magnificent photos were captured. From there, it’s just a descending rabbit hole of creating stories trying to explain your innate reaction upon viewing, all in the hope that you are on the right track to properly annotate. This sort of reaction is not only refreshing but also a sweet reminder of what photography can do. Overtime you can forget that photos are more than just moments captured or a marketing ploy – their honest purpose is to invite an audience to feel something - to contemplate ideas or even have an emotional reaction.
Self taught on the basis of his family and friend’s support, Ismail Zaidy initialled dabbled with film and digital cameras taking photos of his siblings for fun whilst studying at university. Eventually he found his artistic voice and signature style and left his corporate back up plan to pursue photography full time – a brave step that we as viewers are incredibly thankful was taken. Ismail creates photos that mysteriously draw a viewer in the same way a mirage would – you’re never entirely sure of what’s being put in front of you but it’s certainly something you need to meditate on.
Looking at Zaidy’s body of work – there is a running theme present throughout. More often or not, the models faces are either covered or positioned away from the lens, there’s a distinct focal point which helps the eye travel through the whole frame and subjectively speaking, its captured in such unique way that makes me want to attend a whole exhibition or even commission a piece to stare at all day. His images pay homage to the notions of family and heritage – which I honour and respect but the creative execution and storytelling is nothing short of commendable.
To say that I have become a fan is too obvious but in truth I can only imagine upon seeing his shots, you will join me on the cheering lines. Thank you Ismail Zaidy for reminding me of the beauty in photography.
2020 was a rather chaotic year – how have you been handling the Covid-19 pandemic and what are you looking forward too once this is all over?
Ismail: Actually, this pandemic and the whole situation has been a real opportunity for me. I could spend more time with my family and mostly with myself. It was a chance for me to get to know my family members better, to communicate more with them, to discuss my photography and to brainstorm around my project 3aila, which is mainly about family.
During this time where the industry has been shaken up – how have you kept yourself creative?
I: I always try to remind myself of how this journey started and the reason why it started. My goals and my ambitions are the essence of my creativity and I always keep in mind the fact that I must work on them and fight for them regardless of the circumstances.
How do you think your photography and visual work has changed over the past year?
I: I think that every man should seek for development, not only in art but also in everything. For me, I think even if I’m not fully satisfied with my development but I believe there is room for development. Step by step I’ll seek for perfection even if it doesn’t exist but I believe that the development stage is all apart of the journey.
How did you get into photography?
I: Photography is a family affair to me, and in 2018 I started a project named '3aila', family in English, with my younger brother. He's quite a creative person as well and so is my sister. They both play a huge part in creating the ideas behind the pictures and we all support each other in developing different concepts for new stories. I mainly use photography to express my inner point of view on some of the topics that I can't express through words. Most of the time I am a person who doesn't like to talk too much so the best medium that I have explored and found to express myself is through photography and imagery.
Your photographs have a running theme of subtlety with silhouettes and creative use of fabrics- can you tell us more about your style?
I: I love pastel colours but since we, unfortunately, can't see it in our daily lives; I try to transfer my love to those colours into my photos. I think playing with colours and tones is a way of communicating my family’s problems as well as what's been put in place for us as a society. I believe each colour has a story, meaning and reason behind it, and sometimes the colours are purely based on the beauty it gives off to the image itself.
Much of your photos hide the models faces and evokes a sense of mystery – what’s the story behind this concept?
I: Some people are very good at getting a certain emotion out of people when photographing them. I’ve discovered that I can create the same effect without showing someone’s face. The image itself is the emotion.
What inspires you?
I: When I was a kid, I used to live in a modest area in Marrakech where I was watching the way the women would wear their fabrics, hike and djelaba out on the streets. These women are still a huge inspiration for me today, and when I initiate a project I always try to show this side of my culture through my work.
Starting in 2017, I was mainly capturing my surrounding environments in Morocco. Slowly I was getting comfortable as an artist and growing as a creative family, which I think led me to the minimal, abstract and poetic style of the pictures I capture today.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I: I would love to see my art everywhere on earth, that's basically my main dream.
Words / QUADE AU