Wasma Mansour was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but is now based in London, where she has been completing a research project at the London College of Communication. Her work explores “the construction and reflection of the multiple identities of single Saudi women through the medium of their own private spaces and possessions,” says her university.
“Pictorial conventions in global mass media exhibit recurring visual tropes which stereotype and essentialise the portrayal of Saudi women,” says Mansour. “As a result, such generalisations have suppressed Saudi women’s efforts in reconciling with their identities and asserting their sense of individualism.”
Alongside her exhibition, Mansour will be in conversation with photographer Oliva Arthur to explore the issues and negotiations they have encountered while photographing Saudi Arabian women for their recent work – Arthur has just published The Jeddah Diary. The event will take place on June 09.
EXHIBITION
Single Saudi Women by Wasma Mansour
June 01 to June 30, 2012
Hardy Tree Gallery
119 Pancras Road
London NW1 1UN
