BATOOL ABUHASAN
Nostalgia
Batool, born in 2001 in Jenin, is a painting major at Nablus University.
She captures her experiences through both painting and photography, exploring new ways to express her feelings visually.
Growing up is inevitable, and it happens so quickly amid constant change. One day, my little sister asked me to cut her hair, and I was transported back to when our mom did the same for me. At 22, I find myself between the innocence of childhood and the weight of adulthood.
Looking at her, I see my younger self, carefree and lively. The shadows of these memories linger, reminding me that they never really go away. Cutting one's hair is deeply symbolic in our culture, where long hair signifies prosperity, beauty, and purity.
Living in the West Bank, children grow up faster and stronger, but they often feel lost. In those moments when I see my shadow reflected, I see my past and my present, between restlessness and dreams.
These photos represent my emotional journey.
My little sister's shadow on the freshly painted wall in my family's house backyard in Jenin.
Lames, 22, in the Asira playground, Nablus City.
Our two-decade-old tree shadows our family's house in Jenin.
My sister has held onto her braid with affection ever since our mother cut her hair two years ago.
The timeless white scarf, a symbol of love and legacy, was passed down as I trimmed my sister's hair.
Lames is studying journalism. She has been proudly growing her hair for a few years now.
Sunshine in my dorm room in Nablus.
Lujain, 22, in Nablus' hills, where she was born and raised with her two younger sisters.
Memories come and go in unexpected ways, they sometimes come as a shadow.
Layan, 20, Lujain's younger sister. She is studying to become a game designer.
Caught between nostalgia and growth: Balancing the pull of cherished memories with the journey forward.