I believe relief comes after difficult times: for indeed after every difficulty comes relief, after every difficulty comes relief and after every difficulty comes relief. Between every difficulty and relief there is a significant lesson to learn from. Lessons will be learnt by those who seek to reflect the severity caused by every pandemic. There is certainly a blessing in every concept and context of disguise – that quasi-deceptive cloak. What then is the blessing which I have learnt?

The pandemic has left an indelible mark here and beyond. Many submitted to their emotions, egos and mindless verbal expressions while some benefitted profoundly whilst they protected, nurtured and devoted their time among their loved ones patiently, wisely and critically with an innovative spirit. What then when they say we are trapped? Or are we truly isolated? 

At that point in time I smiled. We sought the ideal work-life balance. It came when we were commanded, cornered and retreated to our domestic space. Aaahhh… after every difficulty comes relief? I found home. I found my family. My wife and I found each other. We found our children; through intimate observation, reflection and conversation we found meaning in their growth. In spite of the family being cloaked with emotional and psychological pressures, we found beauty – a fundamental understanding on what bare essentials means – the living room lives, the kitchen cooks and the bedroom comforts us under a single sheet.

While we comforted ourselves in spite of the tribulations beyond we sought solace and gained wisdom from the counsels of the blind gnostic, the reviver and the saintly Abdallah al-Haddad. Due to such times we learnt lessons:

On Intention

On Vigilance

On Inner and the Outer Self

On Acquiring Knowledge

On Remembrance

On Reflection

On Cleanliness

On Social Duties

On Kindness and Charity

On Gratitude

These are pearls and gems which could not be found under normal circumstances. Only when one is cornered, challenged and tested… blessings come after.

A blessing in disguise indeed.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Zaki Razak graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts with a Masters in Fine Arts and holds a Diploma in Visual Communication from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. An artist known for his installation-performances and collaborative approach towards art making, Zaki’s practice involves investigations into human consciousness, the hermeneutics of art and its systems of circulation and reception. His interest in social languages and rituals also led him to create works that take advantage of everyday situations, subject them to wordplay and humour while implicating the audience through engaging their participation in the art making process.