Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025: Asma Ben Aissa

A recurring theme in Asma’s work is the window, a symbol deeply embedded in her artistic practice. It evokes memory, intimacy, and the complex relationship between the interior and the exterior, between the visible and the invisible. This theme became particularly poignant during the Covid pandemic, a time when windows symbolized a vital connection to the outside world. Asma explores their significance through the story of a master craftswoman in northern Tunisia, who recounted: “It was through the window that I escaped when my husband locked the door, forbidding me from going out to buy the essential materials for my embroidery.”

During a residency in the Middle East, Asma experienced another dimension of this symbolism. The windows there were often limited to partial openings or hidden behind moucharabiehs, restricting access to the world outside. Upon her return, she shared: “As soon as I got home, I opened my window with a smile and a sense of relief that I still feel today.” This anecdote underlines the symbolic power of the window—both a barrier and a gateway, reflecting broader societal restrictions.”