Mouna Karray
Exploring Boundaries and Identities
Born in 1970 in Sfax, Tunisia, Mouna Karray embarked on her artistic journey far from home, refining her craft at the Tokyo Institute of Polytechnics and Arts in Japan, where she earned her MA in Image Media in 2002. Since then, Karray's work has traversed continents, featuring in significant exhibitions such as the African Encounters of Photography in Bamako in 2011 and Photoquai at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris in 2009, in addition to hosting two solo exhibitions in Tunisia.
Living and working between Sfax and Paris, Karray draws profound inspiration from her personal life, intellectual pursuits, and the encounters that shape her world. Her photography is a deep reflection on cultural identity and metaphysical inquiries, aiming to uncover the layers beyond the superficial meanings of objects. Karray's work fosters a dialogue between memory and anecdote, detail and context, revealing the intricate dance between visibility and interpretation.
The Evolving Series of Mouna Karray
Karray's oeuvre is marked by three pivotal series: "Identity At Stake" (2005), "Murmurer" (2007-2009), and "Noir" (2013), each exploring different facets of existence and perception.
Identity At Stake delves into the exploration of women's identities within their own environments. Karray photographs women in their spaces before placing herself within these same settings, adopting their gestures and attire. This act of substitution is a daring venture into the essence of another's identity, bridging and then highlighting the intrinsic differences that emerge through the photographic process.
Murmurer captures the silent transformation of public spaces in Sfax, shaped by political decisions over decades. These areas, once vibrant and accessible, have morphed into ghostly non-places, encapsulated by their lingering borders. Karray's work in "Murmurer" is a poetic whisper (as the title suggests) about the walls and boundaries of these disappearing places, evoking the lost narratives and uncertain futures embedded within their confines.
Noir offers a profound commentary on constraint and creativity. Through the minimal visibility of her hand against the backdrop of darkness, Karray symbolizes the act of creation as a form of liberation. The series speaks to the idea that even in the most limiting circumstances, the human spirit can find ways to express itself and connect with the world beyond physical confines.
Mouna Karray's photographic narratives are complex and layered, inviting viewers to delve into the stories and identities that weave through her work. Her exploration of identity, memory, and the physical and metaphysical barriers that define them, positions Karray as a significant voice in contemporary photography. Through her lens, we are reminded of the power of visual storytelling to question, connect, and reveal the multifaceted truths of human existence.
