Modern Emirati women: exploring identity and creative expression through photographic art

This research project involves both exegesis and a component of creative practice that utilizes staged photography as a means of exploring questions pertaining to gender, identity, creative expression, and the nature of photographic practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This project offers a creative response stemming from my distinct perspective as a foreigner employed as an educator in the UAE. It employs staged photography as an artistic medium enabling the detailed composition of elements drawn from lived experiences. This photographic approach seems particularly well-suited to navigating the intricate negotiations surrounding gender expectations within a society experiencing rapid transformation towards a more open, cosmopolitan, and modern ethos. As an individual culturally positioned as an outsider, I drew from qualitative research, involving fifteen interviews with artists and one focus group with fellow educators to gain additional insights into the diverse challenges faced by Emirati women. My specific focus was on establishing connections with women who leverage art and photography as a means of creative expression in their daily lives. Titled Tareek Al Haya – Way of Life, the core set of staged photography compositions is a central element of my exploration. These engaged Emirati women actively participated as models for the creative component, comprising fifteen staged artworks in photography. The project serves as a visual commentary crafted to initiate meaningful conversations and discussions, unveiling perspectives that challenge both existing literature and my initial theories. While serving as an academic inquiry, my images also respond to my unique perspective as an outsider living and working in the UAE. They act as a catalyst for cultural exchange, offering a platform that invites the audience to engage with and respond to thoughtfully constructed narratives without imposing a singular reality. This work bridges the perspectives of an outsider with the experiences of interacting with the local Emirati people.