Islam Allam

A Prescription for

a Non-Healing Treatment


At first, The notion that life is rationally arranged must be abandoned. The world has never gone insane; it has always been insane.


The complications of daily life are like a chronic disease. We are constantly seeking a cure, even if it is only temporary. We search in the medicine cabinet for a sedative that will allow us to catch our breath from the hammer that strikes us without mercy, day after day. We try to comprehend what has happened and prepare for what is to come, but there is no escape, Daily concerns await us in the small circle, and In the enormous circle, we are caught in a circus of surprises, waiting with caution and anticipation for the next show of panic. Therefore, this prescription is an attempt to make sense of this chaos.


Moving through three phases — Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment — the project traces a psychological and symbolic journey from confrontation, to understanding, to the fragile promise of recovery.


Exhibited as part of the duo exhibition

What Happens to Us When We Are No Longer a Possibility?

Medrar for Contemporary Art, Cairo, Egypt, 2025

Phase 01: Recognition


There is no sanctuary or escape from knowing what the situation has become within us and what impact the intricacies of daily life have had on us. We have to look attentively, confront ourselves, and find the truth about the painkillers we thought would help us and treat what was ailing us on the inside. It is essential to first recognize, then recognize and finally recognize.

Blind Bloom — ازدهار العمى

40 × 50 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Fractured Vessel — الوعاء المتصدّع

40 × 50 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Faltering Reflection — انعكاس متردّد

40 × 50 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Waning Pulse — نبض خافت

40 × 50 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

The Recognition — الاعتراف

60 × 80 cm

UV Print on mirror

Phase 02: Diagnosis


This is one of those rare moments of pure confrontation with oneself, where the depths of fear and uncertainty are keenly felt. Here, amidst the silent echoes of introspection, we grapple with the truth of our condition. Through the lens of this experience, the journey unfolds—an exploration of the intricate web of challenges, the profound impacts of which demand understanding and acceptance. It’s a visual narrative that invites us to immerse ourselves, to feel the pulse of transformation in this profound recognition of our reality.

The Inescapable Predicament — المأزق المحتوم

30 × 40 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Inner Horizon — الأفق الداخلي

30 × 40 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Muffled Echo — صدى مكتوم

30 × 40 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Flickering Projection — إسقاطٌ مذبذب

30 × 40 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm


Video art-Duration: 2'24"-Format: 4K Vertical

Phase 03: Treatment


We continue our journey with the promise of a brighter future—a return to normalcy, and the chance to embrace life to its fullest. Will we find the path forward, the remedy for our struggles, and the resilience to thrive once again?

Massage Gently — دلّك برفق

24 × 30 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Intramuscular Use — للاستخدام العضلي

24 × 30 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Take a Deep Breath — تنفّس بعمق

24 × 30 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Temporary Relief — راحة مؤقتة

24 × 30 cm

Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta, 310 gsm

Treatment — العلاج

55 × 11 × 11 cm

Mixed media

Printed pharmaceutical packaging, printed medical leaflet, blister packs, and refrigerator shelf unit

Treatment — العلاج

55 × 11 × 11 cm

Mixed media

Printed pharmaceutical packaging, printed medical leaflet, blister packs, and refrigerator shelf unit