Zephyr (Ornithocerus)

Monira Al Qadiri’s Zephyr series (2023), a collection of three luminescent sculptures, invites the viewer to consider the importance of organisms invisible to the naked eye. During prehistoric times, much of the Arabian Peninsula was submerged in water—consequently, ancient marine fossils can be found in inland areas. Some of these fossils are of dinoflagellates, microscopic marine algae that have existed for hundreds of millions of years and produce half of the world’s oxygen. In Zephyr, Al Qadiri was inspired to recreate these organisms on a larger scale, lighting them to mimic their bioluminescent nature. The artwork demonstrates the necessity to pay attention to the health of our oceans and reinstates the relationship between the coastal Gulf and the sea.