Saudi Women's Identity: A critical collaborative Exploration

Photography presents a visual means through which women can make sense of their lives, and provides the central focus and method of this research. The representation of Saudi women in Saudi Arabia or in the West has been and remains to be a controversial issue, due to the extremely conservative nature of Saudi Society. The Saudi structure, which is derived from Islamic interpretations and Arab culture and traditions, often underlines the laws and behaviors in almost every aspect of Saudi women's lives. A casual thought of Saudi women evokes stereotypical images in the mind. The reality is that Saudi women differ greatly. Using the medium of photography as a tool of participatory, creative engagement and as a stimulus for reflection, this project will look at the different opinions, attitudes and individual characteristics of Saudi women living in Saudi Arabia, by articulating their own perspective of their identity.  In this presentation, I will discuss the methodology used for this visual research project. Afterward, drawing upon on my own personal experience, I will discuss the challenges and difficulties that arose during research fieldwork, to reach useful insights and clearer understanding to those embarking on research projects in Saudi Arabia.