Zenana : Of The Woman
Contagious laughter fills the air, the sound of heavy footsteps darting across the courtyard, and the gossip of the day being recounted as the girls go through their daily chores. Sisterhood runs deep in South Asia’s family and social dynamic.
Last fall I spent five weeks living with my extended family in northern Punjab. Oftentimes, I found myself realizing how much I truly missed out on. I would observe my female cousins while feeling this longing for something I never knew. I saw their daily lives, and how they spend the majority of their time off from school together doing mundane activities such as household tasks, lounging, talking, and rarely spending a moment alone. In this series I am showcasing a side of Pakistan that is commonly overlooked in the media: everyday feminine intimacies.
Whispers Infiltrate the Walls
Three years later the same tea brews on the stove top. Smells of cardamom, cinnamon and cloves flow through the house. The news plays on the TV, an endless loop of the latest updates on the world-wide pandemic. There are oranges. Oranges served on an endless platter, reminding me of the orange orchards we own in Pakistan. Endless whispers infiltrating the walls, echoing the privacy of a home and the privacy of a mind.
Queer Muslim TikTok : A Short Documentary
The widely popular app, TikTok, has been a virtual space where many folks in the LGBTQ+ community have gone to post videos of themselves addressing their intersectional queer backgrounds. The app has become aspace where many young and old queer and trans folks have been able to come together and findcommunity. Before TikTok, I personally had not been part of such a large queer Muslim community, and after joining I was able to meet so many queer Muslims from all around the world.
6R Apparel
For these designs I wanted to make streetwear styled sweaters based off Muslim poetry. I was heavily inspired by the clothing brand “Rasta” which is based in Lahore and really admired their use of cultural symbolism and methods of printing onto sweaters.
US: In The City
I photographed non-binary individuals walking around the city, highlighting their clothing, expressions, and gestures. All the participants look and act differently to show how there isn’t just one way to be non-binary. Throughout the photo shoots I talked to the models about their style and how they perform their gender. I took quotes from each person and added them into the photos as subtitles to contextualize the work and make it even more personal to each individual that is showcased. My aim for this series is for many other non-binary people to see it and feel validated within their own gender identity. Providing them a wide variety of non-binary models to relate to.
Queer South Asian Photo Series
This photo series features queer South Asian people within Toronto. Growing up, I barely saw any positive representation of queer South Asians in the media. I wanted to connect with folks from my community and hear their stories. This photoseries is a resource that is meant to bring our communities together and provide positive representation of queer South Asian lives. I hope to continue this project further and compile a series of images of South Asian queers from all around the world.
Winter In Pakistan
