Artist Profile: Miraal Zafar
Overview
In My Widowed Grandmother, Miraal Zafar presents an evocative and deeply personal portrait that encapsulates love, memory, and resilience. Capturing a quiet yet profound moment, the photograph depicts Zafar’s grandmother at her dressing table, a space unchanged despite the profound shift in her life following the passing of Zafar’s grandfather. The dressing ritual—applying lipstick—becomes an act of quiet defiance, a symbol of continuity amidst solitude and change.
Shot on 35mm film and printed via inkjet, the piece radiates a warm, nostalgic quality that invites reflection. The soft light and textured details emphasize the presence of time, while the surrounding objects—family photographs, familiar furniture—become tangible markers of legacy and transition. Zafar’s work masterfully balances intimacy and universality, prompting viewers to consider their own relationships with family, loss, and identity.
Featured Artwork Vault Bushwick Gallery
- Artwork Title: My Widowed Grandmother
- Year of Creation: 2025
- Medium: Inkjet Print of 35mm Film
- Dimensions: 24 x 16 inches
- Current Location: New York, NY, USA