From “The Book of Gates”

Although many of Dia Azzawi’s works are rooted in Mesopotamian art and Islamic and Arab cultural heritage, this artwork draws on a different source of inspiration. He created From “The Book of Gates”.” during an artist residency in Doha founded by Shiekh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani. During this residency, Azzawi had access to archaeological artifacts, which helped shape his ideas for the piece.

An ancient Egyptian funerary text that describes the soul’s passage to eternity inspired the piece. Azzawi reimagines the mythic journey through a contemporary lens.

In the painting, a wild cat embalmed in gold, moves confidently in a blue, textured underworld. At the same time, a central figure, possibly the artist, looks thoughtfully from a window. This suggests a moment of reflection and a human connection with time, myth and mortality.

Through these elements, Azzawi weaves personal experience with ancient symbolism, creating a layered story that links the past with the present.