Fann À Porter presents Your Heart Knows The Way. Run in That Direction, Lebanese artist Rima Moukahal's powerful and thought-provoking exhibition that explores the emotional and spiritual aspects of the heart. Inspired by Rumi’s famous quote, this exhibition invites viewers to consider the role of the heart in our emotional experiences and to connect with their own inner states after painful stories they may have lived. In this age of technology and artificial intelligence, the artist believes it is essential for humans to connect with their hearts more deeply.
Through the use of geotextile fabric, tissue papers on raw canvas, and pouring paint over like the blood flowing through veins, Moukahal creates a visual representation of the heart's function in responding to our feelings. The textures and stitching used in her work reflect the thickness and heaviness of various emotions we experience, and the pencil handwritings add an element of authenticity to the feelings conveyed.
Moukahal's work draws on the idea that the heart has its own nervous system, its own memory, and it could function even in the event of brain stroke. This is reflected in the Takotsubo Heart Syndrome, which describes the shape of the heart's muscle when in grief, and in the use of patches to heal damaged hearts.
Moukahal references the Holy Quran, which mentions the word "Heart" 132 times and she also draws on cultural references and language, exploring the many ways in which we use words and adjectives to express our feelings together with the word "heart". Moukahal's use of Brene Brown's book, The Atlas of the Heart, also adds depth to her exploration of the heart's role in our emotional experiences.
Through this body of work, the artist aims to inspire the public to engage in a new conversation with their hearts, encouraging them to explore the depths of their emotions and connect with their inner selves.