Yumna Al-Arashi (b. 1988) presents Tears For The Future, her first solo exhibition in Switzerland — a meditation on embodiment, elemental force, and the politics of being seen. Known for her uncompromising and poetic visual language, Al-Arashi turns the camera on herself to explore the body as myth, ritual, memory, and site of resistance. The exhibition features four large-scale self-portraits, arranged like a compass. Each image is aligned with a cardinal direction and its corresponding element — Earth, Fire, Air, and Water — creating a symbolic axis through which the viewer navigates herself. These images do not merely represent the artist; they summon her — as myth, as offering, as witness. They echo the cosmological, matriarchal themes that have run through her previous work, including Aisha (Edition Patrick Frey, 2022), the award-winning monograph dedicated to her great-grandmother and the tattooed women of North Africa and the MENA region. That project was an homage to lineage, to women who live with unapologetic presence — and Tears For The Future continues this lineage in a more solitary, confrontational register. Tears For The Future continues Al-Arashi’s long-standing engagement with self-portraiture — a practice she has developed in previous photographic series including Let Me In and Busy Sleeping, first shown at City SALTS in 2024. In Let Me In, she inserted her body among 19th-century nude sculptures found in Zurich’s public places, staging a direct confrontation between the historic male gaze and her own autonomous image-making. In Busy Sleeping, she surrendered control entirely, producing self-portraits only during sleep— an act of trust, vulnerability, and relinquished authorship. In contrast, Tears For The Future positions the body in full command: elemental, exposed, and defiantly present. Al-Arashi’s work is both intimate and collective. Her portraits carry the weight of inherited histories and diasporic longing while remaining rooted in personal ritual. Each image is a study in presence — not only of the self, but of community, land, memory, myth and our always changing gaze of the human figure and their portraits.
Yumna Al-Arashi (b. 1988) presents Tears For The Future, her first solo exhibition in Switzerland — a meditation on embodiment, elemental force, and the politics of being seen. Known for her uncompromising and poetic visual language, Al-Arashi turns the camera on herself to explore the body as myth, ritual, memory, and site of resistance. The exhibition features four large-scale self-portraits, arranged like a compass. Each image is aligned with a cardinal direction and its corresponding element — Earth, Fire, Air, and Water — creating a symbolic axis through which the viewer navigates herself. These images do not merely represent the artist; they summon her — as myth, as offering, as witness. They echo the cosmological, matriarchal themes that have run through her previous work, including Aisha (Edition Patrick Frey, 2022), the award-winning monograph dedicated to her great-grandmother and the tattooed women of North Africa and the MENA region. That project was an homage to lineage, to women who live with unapologetic presence — and Tears For The Future continues this lineage in a more solitary, confrontational register. Tears For The Future continues Al-Arashi’s long-standing engagement with self-portraiture — a practice she has developed in previous photographic series including Let Me In and Busy Sleeping, first shown at City SALTS in 2024. In Let Me In, she inserted her body among 19th-century nude sculptures found in Zurich’s public places, staging a direct confrontation between the historic male gaze and her own autonomous image-making. In Busy Sleeping, she surrendered control entirely, producing self-portraits only during sleep— an act of trust, vulnerability, and relinquished authorship. In contrast, Tears For The Future positions the body in full command: elemental, exposed, and defiantly present. Al-Arashi’s work is both intimate and collective. Her portraits carry the weight of inherited histories and diasporic longing while remaining rooted in personal ritual. Each image is a study in presence — not only of the self, but of community, land, memory, myth and our always changing gaze of the human figure and their portraits.
Yumna Al-Arashi (b. 1988) presents Tears For The Future, her first solo exhibition in Switzerland — a meditation on embodiment, elemental force, and the politics of being seen. Known for her uncompromising and poetic visual language, Al-Arashi turns the camera on herself to explore the body as myth, ritual, memory, and site of resistance. The exhibition features four large-scale self-portraits, arranged like a compass. Each image is aligned with a cardinal direction and its corresponding element — Earth, Fire, Air, and Water — creating a symbolic axis through which the viewer navigates herself. These images do not merely represent the artist; they summon her — as myth, as offering, as witness. They echo the cosmological, matriarchal themes that have run through her previous work, including Aisha (Edition Patrick Frey, 2022), the award-winning monograph dedicated to her great-grandmother and the tattooed women of North Africa and the MENA region. That project was an homage to lineage, to women who live with unapologetic presence — and Tears For The Future continues this lineage in a more solitary, confrontational register. Tears For The Future continues Al-Arashi’s long-standing engagement with self-portraiture — a practice she has developed in previous photographic series including Let Me In and Busy Sleeping, first shown at City SALTS in 2024. In Let Me In, she inserted her body among 19th-century nude sculptures found in Zurich’s public places, staging a direct confrontation between the historic male gaze and her own autonomous image-making. In Busy Sleeping, she surrendered control entirely, producing self-portraits only during sleep— an act of trust, vulnerability, and relinquished authorship. In contrast, Tears For The Future positions the body in full command: elemental, exposed, and defiantly present. Al-Arashi’s work is both intimate and collective. Her portraits carry the weight of inherited histories and diasporic longing while remaining rooted in personal ritual. Each image is a study in presence — not only of the self, but of community, land, memory, myth and our always changing gaze of the human figure and their portraits.
Yumna Al-Arashi (b. 1988) presents Tears For The Future, her first solo exhibition in Switzerland — a meditation on embodiment, elemental force, and the politics of being seen. Known for her uncompromising and poetic visual language, Al-Arashi turns the camera on herself to explore the body as myth, ritual, memory, and site of resistance. The exhibition features four large-scale self-portraits, arranged like a compass. Each image is aligned with a cardinal direction and its corresponding element — Earth, Fire, Air, and Water — creating a symbolic axis through which the viewer navigates herself. These images do not merely represent the artist; they summon her — as myth, as offering, as witness. They echo the cosmological, matriarchal themes that have run through her previous work, including Aisha (Edition Patrick Frey, 2022), the award-winning monograph dedicated to her great-grandmother and the tattooed women of North Africa and the MENA region. That project was an homage to lineage, to women who live with unapologetic presence — and Tears For The Future continues this lineage in a more solitary, confrontational register. Tears For The Future continues Al-Arashi’s long-standing engagement with self-portraiture — a practice she has developed in previous photographic series including Let Me In and Busy Sleeping, first shown at City SALTS in 2024. In Let Me In, she inserted her body among 19th-century nude sculptures found in Zurich’s public places, staging a direct confrontation between the historic male gaze and her own autonomous image-making. In Busy Sleeping, she surrendered control entirely, producing self-portraits only during sleep— an act of trust, vulnerability, and relinquished authorship. In contrast, Tears For The Future positions the body in full command: elemental, exposed, and defiantly present. Al-Arashi’s work is both intimate and collective. Her portraits carry the weight of inherited histories and diasporic longing while remaining rooted in personal ritual. Each image is a study in presence — not only of the self, but of community, land, memory, myth and our always changing gaze of the human figure and their portraits.
Last year I was commissioned to make a short film for a brand which I can’t name. It never saw the light of day for political reasons. We got the rights back to use the work we all put so much love and effort into and I really can’t wait to share it soon.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Paris 🌹 thank you for always being the sweetest. It means so much to see a room packed with both new and familiar faces for Aisha. Merci ❣️ To @asma.bcc for holding space with me, for a brilliant conversation. And to everyone at @le_bal @lebalbooks for hosting us.
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
Some of my favorite moments from The Tower / البرج – now live on @directorslibrary Forever gratitude to this incredible team: Written and Directed by Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa Narrated by Yumna Marwan @yumnamarwan Production Company: Iconoclast @iconoclast.tv Executive Producer: Jean Mougin @moujean Producer: Biba Thomas @bibabthomas Shoot Producer: Lana Salfiti @lansylamblegs EP: Beatrice @beatricepop DP: Mattias Rudh @rudh_mattias Talent: Ahdam Omar @adhamomaar_, Daniel Sherif, Sherouk Farid @sheroukfarid, Habiba El Kobrossy @habiba_el_kobrossy, Canan, Dahab Tamer @dahaabtamer, Kenzy ElSherbiny @kenzyelsherbinyy, Enji @enjiiezza Colour: ETC @electric_theatre_collective Colourist: Houmam Abdallah @hhoumam Grade produce: Oliver Whitworth Edited by Jacques Simon @jakattaque Edit Producer: Noreen Kahn @nozkhan Sound: Factory UK @factorystudiosuk Sound Design: Michael Haines @michael_haines Audio Producer: Amelia Watts ameliaj.w Composer: Thomas Stankiewicz @tommmasi Graphic Design: Studio Safar @studiosafar Designer: Maya Moumne @mayamoumne Service Company: Story Tailors @storytailors.tv Service EP: Zeina Sabeh Service Producer: Tara Shehata @tarashehata Local Producer: Mina William @minawilliam_ HOP: Ramy Ibrahim @7enzz 1st AD: Mohamed Sakr @_sakrm 2nd AD: Menna El Abyad @mennaelabyad 3rd AD: Ghada Hesham @ghadaheshameissa 1st AC: Nader Wadea 2nd AC: Martina Maged Key grip: Nasser Mokhtar DIT: Mohamed Yasser Gaffer: Mohamed Morsi @mohamedmorsiii Production Designer: Basel Ayman @bassel_elbehwashy Art Director: Yasmine ElJubaly AAD: Seif Adel Prop Master: Aly El Zahar Carpenter: Mohamed Fakhrany Costume Designer: Mostafa Waheed @mostafawaheed Costume Assist: Habiba Mohamed @habibaamohh HMU: Mirna Salib
soon
We are overjoyed and proud to congratulate Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa and everyone involved on winning in the contest of Most Beautiful Swiss Book 2025 with „Aisha“! ✨✨ @stephanierebonati
We are overjoyed and proud to congratulate Yumna Al-Arashi @yumnaaa and everyone involved on winning in the contest of Most Beautiful Swiss Book 2025 with „Aisha“! ✨✨ @stephanierebonati