Dubai’s Ziddoun Bossuyt Gallery is currently showcasing the evocative and thought-provoking photography of Sumayah Fallatah in an exhibition titled ‘Gracefulness of Daily Life.’ The Alkhobar-born, Riyadh-based photographer uses her work to explore profound themes such as race, representation, and cultural identity in the Arab world.
Fallatah, a third-generation Saudi Arabian-Nigerian, delves deeply into her personal and familial history, examining the intricate weave of her family’s migration journey and the blending of Saudi and Nigerian cultures. Her work provides a lens into the lived experiences and complexities of this cultural integration.
The series featured in this exhibition, “Say Mon Dawo II” (Till We Return II), is particularly significant. It reconstructs the extensive history of Hausa migration to Saudi Arabia, driven by the colonial impact and the desire to preserve Islamic identity. Through her photography, Fallatah embodies characters from various phases of this migratory assimilation, presenting a narrative that is both intimate and universal.
In “Say Mon Dawo II,” Fallatah’s images are more than mere representations; they are a dialogue with the past, a reimagining of historical and cultural ties that have shaped her identity and those of countless others. Each photograph captures the grace and resilience of daily life within these intertwined cultures, highlighting both the beauty and the challenges of maintaining one’s heritage in a constantly changing world.
The exhibition invites viewers to engage with the themes of migration, identity, and cultural preservation, urging them to reflect on their own histories and the broader human experience. Sumayah Fallatah’s work stands as a testament to the power of art in bridging cultural divides and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.