Untitled Work

I have created photographic images pivotal to the Muslim woman experience for over two decades—specifically, cultural interactions/blends of Islam, American and African cultures. The female experience and struggle towards equity in various cultures/societal circles holds great importance in my image-making because it has impacted me. While growing up, my clothing could not reveal much of my body. As a result, I developed a fascination with small details as an expression of individuality. Moreover, I grew up in a large polygamous family with 30 siblings, one father, and several mothers. They were all impactful in shaping my views and approach to art making.

In composing a picture, I design and sew specific clothing for an image. I began sewing at eight and have found a continuous interest in fabric and how particular prints, textures, and patterns build on interpretations and weave together their own story within an image. I use traditional materials with contemporary clothing styles to set up narratives that speak to the history and personal relationship of the fabric. Both contrasts act as a visual reminder of the two worlds which co-exist.

In this body of work, the images were all photographed with a 4x5 view camera. The double-exposed self-portraits often took many hours to construct in the studio using tungsten lights and keen attention to positioning. The stories created through these images become a cathartic, visual diary of experiences growing up.

My Islamic and traditional African upbringing has blended into contemporary American society, which surrounds me, causing me to reconstruct the cultural traditions I choose to retain from my past. As my work developed, my focus shifted from self-identity to a broader examination of America's fragile relationship with the Islamic religion and people from the African Diaspora. I implore the viewer to become conscientious of their role while simultaneously creating dialogue around these experiences and the social implications on the Muslim community.