Oil Lamp

The oil lamp symbolises survival on multiple levels. In Afghanistan, where many regions face extreme climates with temperatures well below zero, an oil lamp provides heat and light independent of electricity. It required little fuel, but gave warmth and created a gathering point for families with little means. For Mohammadi, the lamp evokes not only the material conditions of survival but also the emotional strength it provided. It was more than a practical object: it became a beacon of hope, a sign of independence from energy girds and state structures, and a symbol of togetherness in the face of hardship.

Doll

The doll represents childhood, imagination, and the ability to escape daily hardship. For Mohammadi, the doll was a refuge during times of uncertainty and fear. It allowed her to create a space of playfulness and dream of a different reality. In moments of scarcity, even owning a single doll became a form of luxury. The object carried weight beyond its size: it became a companion, a helper that carried her through difficulties. In alabaster, the doll becomes ghostly and fragile, underscoring the thin line between innocence and survival.

Eggs

The eggs are the smallest objects in the series, yet they carry one of its heaviest stories. They recall a period when Mohammadi’s family owned a single chicken, a fragile source of continuity in uncertain times. Each day demanded a difficult decision: whether to keep scarce food for themselves or give it to the chicken in the hope that it would lay eggs later. This trade-off between present hunger and the possibility of future nourishment captures the cruel calculations that poverty and displacement force upon families.

The eggs embody this fragile balance between sacrifice and sustenance. They stand for growth, health, and the promise of survival, but also for the risk of going without in order to endure tomorrow.

Sewing Machine

The sewing machine, modelled after a Singer from the early 1900s, connects directly to Mohammadi’s mother. During her time in Afghanistan, she learned to sew as a way to earn income and provide for her family. With the machine she could save for the yearly family portrait and make dresses for her children, allowing them moments of dignity and beauty. Sewing became both a practical necessity and a ritual of care. This practice continued during the family’s refuge in Europe, where the machine offered continuity and resilience. For Mohammadi, helping her mother with scraps of fabric was not only an act of assistance but also an early lesson in persistence and creativity.