Mohamed Somji (The Everyday Projects) A group of people pose for a photo atop a frankincense tree in Salalah, Oman. 2015.
“I was in Salalah for a short holiday, and a friend and I were enjoying the sight of this lonely frankincense t
(...) ree when a group pulled up in their car and this man and his two sons ran up the tree to have their picture taken. It is a simple image but exudes a moment of unadulterated joy and glee without the burden of history, media narratives, and oriental fantasies of the Middle East. Having worked as a photographer, curator and gallery owner in the Middle East for more than a decade now, I am very aware of issues of representation in photography. Middle East stories and narratives are often framed around conflict, strife, and religion. Images of everyday life with expressions of joy and happiness rarely take centerstage. People’s understanding of this region is often influenced by sensationalist images that omit the ordinary and/or interesting lives and stories of millions of people in the Middle East.”
– Mohamed Somji
