Mariam Al-Khatib
a refugee settlement outside Amman, Jordan
Mariam works tirelessly at a poultry plant, submerged in the monotonous rhythm of gutting and packing birds for hours on end. Living in a refugee settlement in the outskirts of Amman, she struggles with the oppressive routine but remains committed to supporting her younger sister's education through the little money she earns. Her sparse evenings are spent winding down in a shared, modest space, reflecting on the persistent hum of her refrigerator, which oddly brings a sense of relief and proof of survival.
About
Obsession
The sound of the refrigerator humming quietly at night
Voice
Cold comfort beneath constant pressure
Artistic Medium
Ephemera found in refugee camps
Technique
Accumulate layers over time
Influences
The persistent hum of machinery at work, the early morning silence before the plant opens, her sister's school notebooks
Materials
Dust, rust, cobwebs, and abandoned linen
Scale
Small-scale, hand-held pieces
Selected 0 times
Commissioned Works
"Anxious Veins"
October 15, 2026 · anxious