Saudi Photographer Turns Human Irises Into Art at Jeddah Exhibition

Saudi photographer Ashraf Habib is showcasing ‘Gate of Sights’, an exhibition of iris photography at Jeddah's Galleria Center, featuring 20 large-format images that reveal the intricate patterns and colours hidden within the human eye.

Captured using specialised cameras and macro lenses, the photographs transform the iris into abstract landscapes, with some resembling sunflower petals, volcanic craters and swirling ocean waves. The exhibition is part of Habib's ‘Qurrat Ain’ project, which combines photography and imaging technology to document the human iris as a unique visual identifier. Habib said the advanced technology uncovers remarkable details that are invisible to the naked eye, revealing complex textures within irises that often appear to be a single colour.

Over the past three years, Habib has photographed around 12,000 irises, developing a practice in the specialised field of iris photography. ‘Gate of Sights’ also offers visitors the chance to have their own irises photographed, allowing them to explore the hidden details of their eyes through the same imaging process.

‘Gate of Sights’ will be on display at Galleria Center in Jeddah until July 25th, 2026.