7ur’iyaa

My project, "7ur’iyaa (Liberation)," attempts to address the cultural expectations and taboos prevalent in the Middle East. Through initial research and a focus group of individuals who have grown up in the Arab world, I explored the deeply rooted societal expectations that discourage discussions on topics like mental health and sexuality. These taboos often lead to overindulgence when individuals encounter freedom later in life, such as by moving abroad.

I created a series of portraits for each model in the focus group to visualize and examine what taboo means to them personally and how it has impacted them in the long term. This project aims to provide a platform for these individuals to break free from these constraints and liberate themselves from societal expectations.

click on each individual to learn more.