Faggot(self-portrait), 2021

Photograph, Arabic calligraphy on skin

The Arabic word equivalent to “faggot” carries deep derogatory meaning and is commonly used as a slur against LGBTQ individuals in Syria. To confront and reclaim this word, I used my own skin as a surface for artistic expression. The work was created through a delicate process of cutting masking tape and applying foundation, transforming an insult into an act of self-definition.

After its release, the piece provoked strong reactions, particularly from conservative circles within the Arab community. It ignited extensive debate on social media, opening conversations about queerness, identity, and visibility in the Middle East and across the global Arab diaspora.

Through this work, I aim to reclaim a word that has been used to wound and instead turn it into a gesture of empowerment. It stands as both a personal statement and a contribution to broader dialogues on acceptance, resistance, and the right to exist beyond imposed norms.

From the group exhibition Vi Är Här at Blå Stället Konsthall, 2021

From the group exhibition “Embodiment” at Steneby konsthall, 2023