Tasweer Awards 2026 Jurors
We are thrilled to introduce the distinguished jury of the Tasweer Awards 2026. Now in its 6th year, the Tasweer Awards continues its commitment to championing diverse photographic practices and critical visual discourse, bringing together three leading voices from across the fields of photography, curatorial practice, visual culture, and contemporary art: Dr. Issam Nassar (Professor of History and Head of Program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies); Linda Al Khoury (Photographer, Curator, and Founder of Darat Al Tasweer and Image Festival – Amman); and Raneen Bukhari (Curator and Advocate for the Arts).
This internationally renowned panel will review submissions for both the Project Award and the Single Image Award, engaging in thoughtful deliberations to select the awardees whose work will help shape this year’s edition of Tasweer.
Dr. Issam Nassar
Issam Nassar is Professor of History and Program Head at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. His research focuses on the history of photography in the Middle East and critical visual culture. He is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles on these and related topics. His most recent publication is Camera Palaestina: Photography and Displaced Histories of Palestine (co-authored with Stephen Sheehi and Salim Tamari, University of California Press, 2022; Arabic edition, 2025).
Linda Al Khoury
Photographer, Curator. Born in 1979, in Amman – Jordan, Linda developed a fascination with photography at a young age , capturing her first images at just thirteen. In 1998 Linda took her first course in black and white photography followed by specialized studies in 2002 at The Holy Spirit University in Lebanon. In 2007, Linda founded Darat Al Tasweer and has been teaching photography since 2005. In 2011 Linda established the Image Festival Amman, a unique international event in the region dedicated to documentary photography. In 2013 Linda founded Fann Wa Chai, a vibrant cultural space in the heart of Amman.
Raneen Bukhari
Raneen Bukhari is a curator and advocate for the arts in Saudi Arabia.
Born into a family deeply involved in the art world, Raneen's passion for curating was nurtured from an early age through her exposure to her parents' artistic endeavors. Raneen began her curatorial journey in 2012, leveraging her expertise from Desert Designs—her family’s long-standing art space—to launch her career. Notably, she curated the acclaimed "Loud Art" show, which toured the Gulf region, showcasing emerging talents.
Her contributions to the art scene include serving as assistant curator for Desert X AlUla 2020 and curating a retrospective for artist Mohammed AlGhamdi in 2019. Raneen is known for her dedication to supporting emerging artists and fostering creativity in Saudi Arabia. Amidst the global pandemic, Raneen devoted much of her time to her family while continuing to manage for Zahrah AlGhamdi, providing guidance in navigating the ever-evolving art landscape.
Raneen Bukhari's journey as a curator reflects her commitment to promoting cultural exchange and her role in shaping Saudi Arabia's vibrant art scene.