“For me, photography is a family affair; we support each other in developing concepts. I shine a light on that subject, as well as the distance and lack of communication many of us experience with family members.” Ismail Zaidy (b. 1997) – known as L4artiste – was born and raised in Marrakech, Morocco. The 3aila series includes the photographer’s youngest brother, Othmane, and sister, Fatima, amongst a number of other unidentifiable characters. Connections, literal, emotional and conceptual, are integral to the work. Figures are gathered on rooftops and desert planes: tied, hidden or huddled together under folds of material. These compositions play with both proximity and distance, fluctuating between intimacy and estrangement. Zaidy’s creative process begins with gathering props from flea markets – including fabrics and Djellaba robes – before choreographing the figures, standing on sandy planes, against concrete or open skylines.
Lead Image: Courtesy of Ismail Zaidy – L4artiste.
Images 1-10: Courtesy of Ismail Zaidy – L4artiste.
