Here's What They Think of Me

I've always been interested in exploring what it means to be an Emirati contemporary artist who can push boundaries and stimulate constructive, healthy and thought-provoking discussions. What better way to do so than to think of clever ways to break stereotypes?

To solve complex issues we tend to look for overly complex solutions. I believe that in order to conquer something that's multilayered, like stereotypes, we need to take a step back and look at things from a simpler perspective.

It's troublesome to me that certain generalizations or misconceptions can potentially feed into the identity of the Emirates and what it means to be Emirati. My Capstone project at NYU Abu Dhabi, Here's What They Think of Me, is a collection of photographs that seeks to challenge and confront several stereotypes I've come across in my life about the UAE.

The project and public exhibition of staged, exaggerated photos gave me an opportunity to answer people's questions, stimulate discussions, and take that first step into addressing misconceptions about who we are — to start a conversation.