The project captures the fleeting moments of liberation, symbolised by the night-blooming jasmine, a flower that mirrors the transient nature of freedom itself.
Abeer Aref
Visual Artist
‘In my night, jasmine blooms’ delves into the delicate balance between freedom and belonging, inspired by the poignant contrast between the safety and liberty of night walks in Amman and the constraints of my homeland. The project captures the fleeting moments of liberation, symbolised by the night-blooming jasmine, a flower that mirrors the transient nature of freedom itself. As the jasmine blossoms under the night sky, so too does the hope for a future where freedom and belonging are not fleeting illusions. The project juxtaposes the vibrant, nocturnal scenes of Amman with personal reflections on identity, memory, and the longing for a true home.
Each photograph, rendered in black and white, evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing. The intentional blurriness captures the transient nature of memory. As the night ends and the jasmine season fades, so too does this temporary sense of liberation, echoing the cyclical nature of displacement and the constant search for a place to truly belong.
I’ll miss this scent
Blooming at night
Whispering to me
As I walk in the dark
Its fragrance a trail in the air
In the quiet of Amman
Every step is a memory
Fleeting moments of freedom
As I wander the streets
Searching for a place to belong
A place I can call my own
The night covers me
Soft and comforting
But temporary like jasmine
Reminding me that beauty fades quickly
Like the freedom I’ve experienced here
Before dawn breaks.
When I see the jasmine
I remember my mother the first time I saw her.
In a dress adorned with sunflowers
Warm and radiant light
Like her light and warmth that surrounds me
Whenever I recall those days
I feel like they’re like fog
Disappearing quickly
Slipping through my fingers
Leaving only a faint image
And a lingering scent.
راح افتقد هذه الريحه
بتتفتح بالليل
وتهمس لي
بمشي بظلمة الليل
ريحتها درب في هواء
في هدوء عمان
كل خطوة فيها ذكرى
لحظات عابرة من الحرية
وأنا أمشي بالشوارع
بدور على مكان أنتمي له
واسميه بمكاني
الليل بيغطيني
ناعم ومريح
بس مؤقت زي الياسمين
يذكرني بأن الجمال بيروح بسرعه
زي الحرية اللي عايشتها هنا
قبل ما يجي الفجر
لما بشوف الياسمين
بتذكر ماما يوم شفتها أول مرة
كانت لابسة فستان
مرسوم عليه عباد الشمس
دافي وبيشع نور
زي ضوئها ودفئها اللي يغمرني
كل ما أذكر هالأيام
أحس إنهم زي الضباب
يختفي بسرعة
وينزل من بين أصابعي
ما بيضل إلا شكل باهت
وريحة باقية.
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Words and Photography by Abeer Aref
Abeer Aref is an artist and architect based in Yemen. Abeer uses photography to capture the beauty of everyday moments inspired by her surroundings and culture. Her artistic practice delves into personal experiences while reflecting on broader themes of connection and distance. She explores the intersection of culture and identity, the relationships between people and their surroundings, and gender equality.