The Monthly interviews Yemeni Cultural Visual Artist, Salwa Alsharabi – Part 2 – Finding a voice

Was there a turning point in your career?

I had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop that showcased  each artist’s work. My chosen theme was child marriage. I had been deeply affected by hearing the stories of the life-long, debilitating consequences for girl children subjected to this practice. I wanted to use my photographs to make people aware of the pain and horror imposed on girl children but had not anticipated they would arouse international interest.

I composed a narrative that highlighted the youth and innocence, the stolen childhood, capturing at the same time the sadness and powerlessness of the victim. I showed the contradiction whereby instead of a traditional bride filled with love and happiness there was a child filled with fear and dread.  The impact was more than ever I imagined, bringing me to the attention of religious extremist groups. I was subjected to threats but undeterred six months later I did another exhibition. This time I used my art to challenge the imposition by religious extremists of the veil on Yemeni women contrary to Yemeni culture. The threats increased and I was forced to flee leaving behind my home, family and friends.

What ideas or themes do you investigate through your work?

The response to my photographic exhibitions showed me the power of art in the service of human rights. Although personally I have paid dearly for using my art to speak against the oppression of women, it is precisely themes and ideas linked to social justice, especially around the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, that now most preoccupies me. I still gain tremendous pleasure from creating art for the sake of art. But there is a strong compulsion to create pieces that are imbued with meaning and speak to causes I care about.

What are you working on at the moment?

My practice is constantly evolving and changing, shaped by my surroundings, interests, and day-to-day life. Beyond creative photography, I have a passion for painting, calligraphy and design. I want to link different mediums to create innovative means of expression. In a recent exhibition I used fashion design and clothing to address the ways in which refugees and asylum seekers are stigmatised and dehumanised. Today I see myself as an activist with culture and art as my weapons of choice.

I am shortly going to Berlin following successful campaigns here that deployed art and artists to raise awareness of the plight of refugees, the need for a ‘kind economy’. I will be speaking about the power of art to reach people in all walks of life, to touch their minds and open their hearts. Here in Belfast, I am one of the founding members of a women’s collective, ANAKA, that supports and seeks to empower female refugees and asylum seekers. Meeting women from across the globe from diverse cultural backgrounds has inspired me currently to pursue a portrait project that explores identity, the transition required by the demands of integration, of surviving in a new country yet keeping hold of your country of origin.