A Small Gift in Return

In May 2026, the Embassy of Mexico in Jordan, together with the Greater Amman Municipality, inaugurated a remarkable modern sculpture entitled "El Caballito"—meaning 'small horse' in Spanish—in the city of Amman. The sculpture, a horse’s head by the renowned Mexican sculptor Sebastián, was offered as a gift from the people of Mexico to the people of Jordan to mark fifty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A formal dedication ceremony was held that morning at Shibli Al-Bisharat Park, where the sculpture had been installed. I was unable to attend, as I was horse-riding and preferred to keep to my morning routine. I did, however, plan to attend the evening reception at the Mexican Embassy.

El Caballito

Before going, I had a thought. Since Mexico had gifted Jordan a sculpture of a horse’s head, perhaps it would be appropriate for Jordan to offer Mexico a horse’s head in return!

I happened to have in my studio a framed image of an Arabian mare, Sukkar Aezea, one of the first Arabian horses I photographed in 2007. The idea felt simple, respectful, and fitting.

I checked with the Mexican Ambassador, H.E. Ambassador Jacob Prado, who immediately understood the gesture and agreed that it would be appropriate.

When I arrived at the Embassy that evening—slightly late, as I had an art exhibition opening to attend first—it seemed the Ambassador had generously been waiting for me before saying a few public words.

He introduced the audience to the work of Sebastián, acknowledging his stature within Mexican contemporary art, before speaking about the gift of El Caballito and the significance of the occasion. He then introduced the reciprocal gesture: my print of Sukkar Aezea, presented to Sebastián as a return gift from Jordan, and referred generously to my own work as a photographic artist.

The gesture was warmly received by both the Ambassador and Sebastián. I was delighted to have been able to offer something on behalf of Jordan.

Sculptor Sebastián, H.E. Ambassador Jacob Prado, and myself

For a brief moment the horse—a public, monumental sculpture in one form, a personal and intimate photographic print in the other—connected two cultures through a shared symbol.

Sukkar Aezea, Arabian Mare, 2007