When we came across the talented Ahmad Al Motawa’s Instagram account, we initially fell in love with his photography and thought provoking musings. One photo in particular captivated our attention, and it now graces our February issue as its stunning cover. From there, we simply had to know the man behind the lens. Through our simple, yet extremely enlightening, dialogue with Ahmad, we discovered a soulful creative, avid traveler and self-taught photographer.
It all began with one question: How would you describe yourself? “Those who know me well, know that I enjoy writing almost on a daily basis. I also like commenting on current events that surround me, and I enjoy lively discussions and debates with friends and followers. I even encourage others to discuss their thoughts openly, however when it comes to talking about myself I forget all of these aspects about myself!” Ahmad’s initial answer begged us to ask ourselves the same question, because it’s true—we mainly take note of what others see. He continued on to say that he rarely ‘meets himself’, and we felt ourselves get lost some more, before he explained, “You would better know any given person in your life because you meet them regularly more than they see, know, or think about themselves. It’s also a biological phenomenon, whereby we physically can observe someone’s mannerisms, height, even the leftover food crumbs on their chin, and the way in which they interact with others. We can do this at any time, and with complete ease.”
When it comes to understanding one’s self, however, Ahmad sees a greater difficulty in this assessment. He adds, “The way our eyes are biologically engineered means that we cannot view things in whichever way we choose. You cannot see your full face without the assistance of a mirror, and the same applies with trying to see your back, for instance. We’d need visual assistance, and I consider the camera as one.”
Ahmad’s remarks lead us to think about constructed realities, where he considers the use of mirrors or cameras as late arrivals to mankind’s long existence. “We never perceived ourselves like we do today, we aren’t used to the ‘selfie phenomenon’. Imagine that civilizations came and went without ever looking at their own faces except for witnessing their reflections on constantly shifting bodies of water. I think that’s incredible.” He laughingly adds, “That’s why I have a hard time describing myself, and now I finally understand what Socrates meant when he said ‘know thyself’.”
For Ahmad, he looks to his past for inspiration and introspection, especially those childhood memories that he cannot recall. “I once asked my mother about my childhood, and she told me I was a quiet child, and was never in trouble. She also described me as being content with everything that was given to me from coloring books, comics, to coloring pens!” Ahmad is even inspired by his uncle, who he was named after. “My father always looked to my uncle as an inspiration, because he was a traveler and wanderer, using his motorcycle as his main source of transport.”
These recollections and stories all shape the person he is today. When Ahmad’s older brother decided to travel abroad to study in the 90s, and entrusted him with his professional camera, that arrived as a turning point for the creative. “He trusted me, despite my young age at the time! I think that was specifically when I first became interested in photography. From landscapes, buildings, historical sites, antiques, people to even nothing in particular—I became impassioned. Never to take a selfie, though!”
Ahmad further recounts how he had to be specific with his photography subjects when he first started experimenting with his brother’s camera, because at the time, such equipment was quite expensive to maintain and use. “I explored this world deeper, I even learned how to manually develop pictures for fun, before the dawn of digital photography. It wasn’t easy, and the process required a huge amount of patience and technical ability. You’re in a dark room that is filled with chemical fluids that carry extremely strong scents—and sometimes, my hard work would result in a professional photo that is actually indistinguishable.” He laughingly remarks, “I don’t think today’s modern photographers that hail from a younger generation even fathom this notion. They are indeed lucky! I’m still thankful to my older brother, and the fact that he trusted me with his prized procession.”
In Ahmad’s last step towards self-discovery, he considers his best friend. “He is rare, and he accompanied me throughout my formative years to adulthood. We’re inseparable to the point where I could never consider not being friends. He believes in my ability as a good writer and he encouraged me to write my first book. His mental support was key in my development as a person, helped me edit every text I wrote. He even designed my writings, directed, and published my work inside and outside of Kuwait. Today, and thanks to my dear friend, people still ask me if I am indeed solely a photographer, or a writer.”
While we would love to receive a definitive answer about his life’s passions, Ahmad tells us that he is not an avid reader, writer, nor photographer, “I am simply a person who reads, writes and takes pictures at the same time—other than that, I can’t ever specifically define who I am.”
For more information about Ahmad Al Motawa, follow him on Instagram and Twitter @Ahm2o, and you can email him at ahm2o@hotmail.com.
