The Crescent Moon

by Amaya Mahmud & Laila Nahar

The Crescent Moon is a collaborative book project between Laila Nahar and her niece, Amaya Mahmud (18). The work reflects Amaya’s inner world using her painting/writing and photographs as she is struggling with eating disorders/Anorexia.

Amaya has been drawing consistently since she was a child. The drawings evolved over time and together with strong words it shows how Amaya’s feeling towards her body changed. Laila’s photographs and collages had been taken along the way. The young Amaya experience the world as a happy and flowery one, her drawings are compassionate. Laila’s photographs reflect the spirit and joyful encounters of her niece.

Then starts the storming phase in Amaya’s mind, while struggling with Anorexia her writings and drawings become a perception of herself and the world around her. A mind that is cast into darkness and despair, crying for help. In the world of TikTok, Instagram and other social media many children are now trapped into exploiting virtual worlds. Amaya too. But this is not only a dark story, but also a story of courage and compassion. Amaya struggled and fought. Her love for nature and deep compassion could not be suppressed. Her journey continues.

Amaya and Laila had been working on this book since 2021. Over the years, this has been evolving taking different book-forms. In late 2024, at Reminders Photography Stronghold, Laila worked collaboratively with Teun van der Heijden and Yumi Goto on the concept, editing and art direction. The fundamental structure was set and ‘The Crescent Moon’ morphed into cohesion to tell the story of Amaya, a story that resonates in the heart of countless children and adults.

The book delves as a conversation between Amaya through her drawing and writings and her care-givers’ trying to reach her positivity.  A separate booklet serves as a glossary of each art-plate with Amaya’s interpretation along with a 1-page history of the project.

From May’25, Laila started engaging with Yumi Goto in a mentorship program to further continue the book. Latest dummy is the result of the mentorship. Please note that this book is still a work-in-progress.

Flip-through video of the latest book dummy: https://vimeo.com/1120733622?share=copy

Video of the prior dummy: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1065215096

Recognition: 2025 FotoEvidence W Award Finalist