“A Pair of Brand New Eyes” is a conceptual intimate series exploring femininity and its powerful connection to nature in the landscape of Qatar. In a country where the essence of self in the public space feels dry and controlled, privacy becomes a one’s safe haven to express and rehydrate the soul. The “weekly flower” for my apartment is a habit that bloomed in Doha and helped me to preserve my true self, especially in an environment with particular cultural and geopolitical rules. The use of Instax film emphasizes a direct reflection of emotions and satisfies an inner need to feel grounded at times when life tends to be artificial. Self-portraits, still life images, and street scenes intertwine with the multiple layers of a woman’s reality. The “weekly flower” becomes my personal antidote to the hollow solitude of the self, and the sense of home within shows me how to feel good in my own skin.

All images ©Olga Stefatou