I had a magical childhood growing up in Dubai.
My father is Emirati and my mother, Italian. I remember my brother, friends and I creating our own little world, which we called Bebe-tsi-land. It had several make-believe characters (Mama-beth, Papa-beth, Uncle Frenchfries, Manjok-dog and many more). We made up a language and even had TV-show celebrities of that world!
I think the most positive influences in my life are from being born into a multicultural environment. I consider it a blessing to have been able to learn about other cultures. It has honed my skills and improved my ability to connect with people socially, no matter what their background.
I got my first camera at the age of seven. My interest in photography comes from my father, who is an award-winning photographer. His other hobby is travel and whenever we toured places, he'd let me shoot whatever I liked. I used to be his annoying little shadow, following him around trying to copy his angles and frames. In fact, you can see some examples of these influences in Emirati Expressions which began in October and is running until January 28 next year at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi.
I went to schools which emphasised academics and particularly valued sciences.
For the creatively inclined, it was not the best of places. So I took after-school classes in art. After completing my schooling at Al Mawakeb School in 2000, I did an undergraduate course in photography at university. That paved the path for my career. I then did my bachelor's degree in photography at Griffith University in Australia.
After graduating it was difficult to find a job as a photographer, but I finally joined a local newspaper. I was the only woman in the newspaper's team of photographers. I broke a lot of stereotypes as an Emirati and as a woman in the field of photojournalism. I did my masters in photo theory at Durham University, England, in 2008 and landed a four-month work placement at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Working there was a learning curve for me as I learnt a lot about different expressions of art and culture.
I am a photographer first, but I love being a curator too.
To me, curating is a way of giving back to the community the opportunities I was given. I do my best to give artists the kind of exposure and encouragement I received throughout my career. I also love being around positive people in my field. I would say the same of Emirati Expressions. I'm thrilled to be part of a group of artists, some of whose works I adore. I enjoy seeing new works. I need to be constantly surrounded by creativity and passion.
After I was exposed to the collection at the V&A, I began doing some research on my own.
I started working on a project about the Union House in the UAE. I believe in the importance of documentation and preserving the past. I worked for almost two years with Dubai Culture on the second edition of the documentary Voices, which was on autism. The team did an excellent job and the documentary was shown at several film festivals across the world.
In 2003, I was featured in the documentary Dubai: Miracle or Mirage?
I enjoyed working with a professional and fun-loving crew but I didn't know it would be aired on National Geographic at the time of shooting. I remember getting a message from some friends overseas who told me that they had seen me on the channel. I was surprised and truly ecstatic!
My biggest project at the moment is opening my own photo studio.
I am looking to partner with a camera company and am searching for the ideal location. It'll also be a great place for art lovers to hang out. It will have a section for photographers to showcase their work. I also plan to do a PhD.
For details on Emirati Expressions, go to www.artsabudhabi.ae/en/EventItems/Emirati_Expressions.aspx.
Quick questions
Your views on photography?
It acts as a cultural platform where you can express your viewpoint and offer people a glimpse of the world as seen through your eyes.
A memorable moment?
In 2006 I was asked to take part in the International Photography Biennial in Brescia, themed "150 Years of Women in Photography". I was the youngest, and among award-winning figures in the field! I still pinch myself to believe it happened. I was honoured to represent myself as an Emirati/Arab artist.
The most cherished things from childhood?
Cartoon films (of the 1980s) and Nutella.
Interviewed by Zenifer Khaleel, an Abu Dhabi-based freelancer
