Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
For Emirati artist and chef Moza Almatrooshi, food is not simply sustenance, it is a language through which ecology, memory, labour and power are expressed, questioned and re-experienced.
“Food holds deep historical symbolism that has been consistently carried out into modern and contemporary times. It is a potent element that lends itself to a myriad of artistic expressions,” Almatrooshi told Aletihad.
Almatrooshi’s multidisciplinary practice brings together performance, moving images, writing and cooking to illustrate how food intersects with ecology, labour and power. As her research expands, the form follows the idea.
“As food and ecology intersect in my research, I translate them into formats that can carry them meaningfully,” she said.
That concept is central to “The Alphabetics of the Baker”, a project that examines how bodies move within commercial kitchens.
“I was interested in documenting the gestures of bakers in real working environments,” Almatrooshi noted, describing the movements as both poetic and physically demanding.
“These gestures reveal care, repetition and labour, but also the toll mechanised production takes on the body,” she added.
Having worked as a chef, her experience has shaped how she approaches her work.
Across her practice, sustainability and food sovereignty remain recurring themes.
“We often consume food without understanding where it comes from or how it is produced,” Almatrooshi explained, emphasising that her work draws on knowledge from farmers, beekeepers and botanists, her grounding artistic production in real ecological systems rather than abstract symbolism.
In her work, she focuses on creating sensory experiences that allow audiences to listen, reflect and interpret.
“Being culturally representative means being honest. Sharing what exists, listening where it does not, and learning from more sustainable systems,” Almatrooshi added.
Looking ahead, Almatrooshi is developing “Ballad”, an art and culinary studio designed for collaboration.
“The aim is to build circular relationships between artists, farmers and ecological practitioners,” she said.
To young people considering careers in art, culture or creative research, her advice is to engage deeply with physical and cultural contexts, connect with peers, and trust personal expression.
