Dost (Close Friend)
Dost (Close Friend) by Naheen Ahmed
A digital illustration of objects floating midair on a pink background. Starting from the left side are two purple crutches, right hand top side is a pink cane with an eye on the handle. Below the cane is pair of dark purple sunglasses with white ear plugs beside it. In the bottom corner is a light blue hot water heat pad.
“There are days we need a kind welcome, a warm bed after a long day. Sometimes it is people who bring that joy, but for others it is objects.
There's a comforting that blooms when I return to these objects. My cane, my crutches, my ear plugs. The warm pink, blue and purple colors reminds one of coming home and remembering; we are vulnerable, we all need rest. These objects bring delight in relief, delight in its texture, delight in its support.
These are my objects of access.”
-Naheen Ahmed
Naheen Ahmed (Self_Saboteur) is a zinester, illustrator and painter who lives in Canada. She used traditional south asian art techniques to explore heritage and the complexity of living with multiple chronic illnesses. Her works have been published in numerous zines and small publications including Femme and Dandy and Apathy is Boring. Besides that she enjoys biking when her body allows her to and taking care of her two senior cats. You can find her work on Instagram and Twitter at @Self_Saboteur6.
Artwork by Naheen Ahmed
Object description written by Naheen Ahmed
Objects of Access aims to start conversations about access, disability, D/deafness, chronic illness, and neurodivergence. It is borne from collective work, discussions on accessibility, disability justice, and is a living, breathing archive. Objects of Access invites reflection on a range of access needs, while provoking thought on accessibility as aesthetic and a continual process.