Qatar Photography Symposium: As I Lay Between Two Seas

Maryam Wahid is a British photographer and photography consultant, currently serving as Head of Program and Outreach for Tasweer Photography Festival by Qatar Museums. Known for her expertise in visual storytelling and creative production, Wahid explores themes of identity, migration, memory, womanhood, and belonging. Her work spans photography, conceptualisation, curation, and interactive engagement, making her a versatile force in the creative industry.

A First-Class BA (Hons) Photography graduate from Birmingham City University, Wahid has received accolades from the British Journal of Photography, Photoworks, and the Magenta Foundation. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with notable shows at Midlands Arts Centre (2022), The Photographers' Gallery (2022), and Ffotogallery (2019).

She has judged competitions for Photoworks and the National Portrait Gallery’s Hold Still project, led by HRH The Princess of Wales. Wahid was also featured on the BBC’s Great British Photography Challenge.

Qatari photographer Khalifa Al Obaidly originally studied marine biology at the University of Qatar and MBA at HEC Paris, Underwater photography was one of his earliest formative experiences with the medium.Since 2002 Al Obaidly has concentrated on Qatari tradition and culture through the twin themes of Desert and Sea, seeking to convey through his photography the importance of the traditional wooden boats, called Dhows, as reflections of Qatari history and bearers of the spirits of Qatari culture and the soul of the pearl divers. In addition to his own photography work, Al Obaidly has worked at a number

of science and art museums, including the Aquarium at the Qatar National Museum, working on a project to construct a museum of photography and build a collection of work and serving as an assistant director at the Islamic Art Museum (project) through the Qatari National Council for Culture, Art and Heritage.

Al Obaidly is also involved with many Qatari heritage programs and initiatives, as well as leading the Msheireb Art Centre an old girls’ school in heart of Doha has converted to Art center and established “Found Objects Project” (Echo Memory or Sadda AL Thekraiat) which seeks to create art from found objects for Heart of Doha Project. As he worked on the four Museums of Msheireb, Jalmod House, Radwani House, Mohammed Bin Jassem House and The Company House.

Khalifa leaded Firestation (Artist in Resident program) for seven years and developed the artist in resident program with many other programs to support. The local artist and connect them to international art seen. Director of Photo Festival is the new department Al Obaidly creating under QM to celebrate the young artists in the region and support their voice and thoughts in the photography and Art field in WANA region.

Meriem Berrada is an artistic director and curator. She also works as an independent consultant alongside consulting firms in cultural engineering and strategy. Her curatorial practice critically explores the intersections of art and craft in contemporary narratives.

She lives and works between Marrakech and Paris.

Between 2013 and 2018, Berrada conceived and implemented various artistic projects for the Fondation Alliances (Morocco) and directed its editions. She developed structural programs such as La Chambre Claire, a competition supporting emerging African photography, and Passerelles, a cross-sponsorship initiative that combines the cultural and social poles of the Foundation through workshops raising awareness of contemporary creation in peri-urban areas. In 2016, she developed the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) in Marrakech, where she took on the role of artistic director starting in 2018.

Committed to structuring the artistic ecosystem of the continent, in 2019 Meriem has developed the MACAAL Bootcamp, a training programme which combines sectoral skills and innovative modules around leadership and personal development, helping young cultural operators working in the contemporary and visual art fields in Africa to strengthen their profiles. Meriem frequently participates in mentoring programs, including Duvangu (Gabon, 2024) and NOOR Photo (2023).

Berrada was recently appointed as the artistic director of Tasweer photography festival (Qatar). In 2021, she co-curated the 13th edition of the Rencontres de Bamako Biennale de la photographie Africaine, and the head curator of the exhibitionWhat is forgotten and what remains at the National Museum of Immigration History – Palais de la Porte Dorée, as part of the Africa2020 cultural season. She is also part of several juries: British Journal of photography OpenWalls (UK), Artagon-Enowe price (France), and the selection committee of Regards du Grand Paris 6 - CNAP X ATELIERS MÉDICIS.

In 2020, Meriem has been selected in the 40 under 40 Apollo art magazine list of the most influential and talented people in the art world born or based in Africa and in the French ranking 100 Femmes de Culture.

She has taken part in several lectures such as: « Museums Round Table » San Francisco (2023) « The Future of Africa-based Curatorial Practice » Harvard, Cambridge (2022) the Africa Creative Industries Summit 2021 (Atlantic Council- Washington, DC).

Ismail Zaidy, also known as L4artiste, is a 26-year-old photographer from Marrakesh, Morocco. He earned a degree in International Management from Cadi Ayad University in 2018. Ismail began his photography journey in 2017, inspired by his surroundings and creative influences. He specializes in abstract and minimalist styles, using a Samsung S5 for his work. With a mixed heritage—his father from Marrakesh and his mother from Oud Zem—family plays a crucial role in his creative process.

In 2018, Ismail launched the project '3aila,' which means 'family' in English, involving his younger siblings, Othmane (18) and Fatima (15). Together, they brainstorm and support each other's creative efforts. Ismail captures his photos in a studio called Sa3ada ('joyful') on their apartment terrace, often using props sourced from flea markets. His work addresses themes of family dynamics, including communication challenges and distance between loved ones, highlighting the importance of family as a precious and cherished aspect of life.

Wafaa Samir is a photographer and visual artist based in Cairo, Egypt. Her work explores two main themes: our relationship with the external environment—whether urban, social, environmental, or otherwise—and our relationship with our internal world of emotions and states of mind. She alternates her focus between these outer and inner realms to explore how each influences the other and how this interplay shapes us.

Wafaa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo in 2013. She also studied in the Behna Independent Program for Visual Arts from 2021 to 2022. Her work has been showcased in many exhibitions in Egypt, Germany, Belgium, France, the UAE, the UK, and Spain.

M'hammed Kilito is a documentary photographer and a National Geographic Explorer residing in Rabat. He is represented internationally by VII Photo and Gowen Gallery. His artistic journey revolves around exploring the intricate connections and bonds that individuals and groups form with their environments - be it places of residence, memories, or transit points. Kilito's work is dedicated to capturing narratives that provide insight into this profound connection, delving into subjects like cultural identity, labour sociology, and the impacts of climate change.

Kilito holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Montreal and a Master's degree in Political Science from Ottawa University. His work has garnered awards and grants, including World Press Photo Foundation Prize, Louis Roederer Prize for Sustainability, National Geographic Society and Climate Pledge Grant, Contemporary African Photography Prize, Photography Prize of Fondation des Treilles, and Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Project Award. He has also been a finalist for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and nominated for Prix Pictet.

His work has been showcased in various festivals and venues worldwide, including the Leica Ernst Leitz Museum (Germany), Sharjah Art Foundation (UAE), 1:54 Art Fair (France), Tate Modern (UK), PhotoESPAÑA Festival (Spain), National Museum of Photography (Morocco), Addis Foto Fest (Ethiopia), Format Festival (UK), Bosnia and Herzegovina National Museum (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Photo Vogue Festival (Italy), and Misk Art Institute (Saudi Arabia). It has also been published in international media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The British Journal of Photography, Vogue Italia, de Volkskrant, L'Express, Liberation, and El Pais.

Together with three other Moroccan visual artists, Kilito co-founded KOZ, a collective dedicated to telling compelling stories through long-term projects.

Rola Khayyat is a Lebanese interdisciplinary artist, educator, and curator whose work reimagines representations of war, memory, and belonging. She has curated exhibitions in Beirut, Thessaloniki, Havana, Sarajevo and New York, including BEYroute (Thessaloniki Biennale), Lattice Work (Black and White Gallery), Simmer (Kunstraum LLC), and Light in Wartime (apexart) and Ellipsis (Historical Museum BiH). Her work has been shown internationally at venues like the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Belfast Photo Festival, the Istanbul Art Fair, North of History. A recipient of the Magnum Foundation, Civitella Ranieri, PerForm, Artellewa fellowships among others, she holds degrees from the American University of Beirut, Florence Academy of Art, and Columbia University. She is an Assistant Professor of Photography at VCUarts Qatar.

A documentary photographer from Kuwait and the Director of the Photo Humanity Grant, Sami Alramyan uses his lens to document humanitarian issues and shed light on the struggles of affected communities worldwide. He has worked on numerous documentary photography projects, including capturing education in impoverished countries, the water scarcity crisis in Africa, the plight of Syrian and Yemeni refugees, as well as covering the air bridge relief efforts during the Turkey earthquake and humanitarian aid responses in conflict and disaster zones.

His work has been published in renowned platforms such as National Geographic Arabia, Brownbook, and Aramco Magazine. He also curated the "Yemen Now" exhibition, held in both London and Kuwait, and was among the participants in the National Geographic Arabia exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

In 2022, he was selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for Photojournalists, organized by the U.S. Department of State across several American states. Believing in the power of photography to make an impact, he dedicates his efforts through the Photo Humanity Grant to support photographers in documenting stories that deserve to be told.

Belal is a Palestinian photographer and calligraphy artists born in Gaza. He began photographing when he found himself amidst the turbulent reality of Gaza's conflicts and joined the Anadolu Agency in 2013. He has covered Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2014 and again in 2021.

Currently, he remains in the line of fire, documenting the ongoing genocide in Gaza initiated by Israel since October 7, 2023. Over the years, Belal has reported on wars in Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the coup in Zimbabwe, and famines in Somalia. Serving as Director of Photography at TRT, he supervised the production of numerous short films and reports worldwide. His images have been published in international newspapers and featured on magazine covers, including the Wall Street Journal, Time, and The Guardian. In 2020, he shed light on the refugee crisis at the Greek border, capturing exclusive photos revealing the severe impact of torture on refugees subjected to violence by Greek security forces.

Belal received several international awards and participated in numerous international and local exhibitions and festivals in Europe, America, and the Middle East.

Mahmud Hams is a prominent Palestinian photojournalist born in Gaza on February 4, 1980. He studied media at the Islamic University of Gaza and began his journalism career in 2002. In 2003, he joined Agence France-Presse (AFP), where he continues to work today.

Throughout his career, Hams has dedicated himself to documenting events and conflicts across the region, including the wars in Gaza, and the uprisings in Egypt and Libya. His work has also taken him to major global events such as the Hajj pilgrimage and the FIFA World Cup.

He has received numerous international awards in recognition of his outstanding work. Most recently, in 2024, he won the Visa d’Or Grand Prize and the Bayeux Calvados Award for Best War Photographer for his coverage of the war in Gaza, as well as the Gold Award at the Istanbul Photo Awards for the same story. In 2018, he was awarded the Bayeux Calvados Prize for Best Image by a War Correspondent for photographs taken during the Great March of Return protests in Gaza.

In addition to his fieldwork, Hams is committed to mentoring the next generation of photographers. He has been teaching photography at the Islamic University of Gaza since 2005.

Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at Fire Station, Qatar Museums, and a lecturer at Georgetown University Qatar and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. Previously, he was a visiting professor of Middle Eastern Art History at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. He completed his Ph.D. in Aesthetics and Art History at Paris 8 University Saint-Denis and earned a Certificate in Museum Curatorial Studies from the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP), Paris.

An accomplished curator, he has organized numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally, showcasing contemporary and modern art from the Arab world and beyond. He is a prolific writer, having published several essays and articles on Middle Eastern art as well as short stories. He has delivered public lectures, moderated panel discussions, and led masterclasses on curatorial practices.

Dr. Abudaya has served as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, and at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris. His primary research focuses on Palestinian art, politics, and the history of the Arab art movement.

A dedicated businessman with a lifelong passion for photography.

From a young age, Abdellatif found joy in capturing moments through the lens of a camera. His journey began with film photography, where he learned the art of developing black-and-white and color films. This foundational experience allowed him to contribute to his school and college yearbooks, igniting his passion for visual storytelling.

Throughout the years, Abdellatif has actively sought opportunities to refine his skills. He regularly attends training workshops and engages in online courses, focusing on enhancing his editing techniques across various applications. This commitment to growth has allowed him to explore different styles and techniques in photography.

His photography encompasses a blend of documentary, portrait, landscape, street photography, and still life, reflecting his unique perspective as a businessman and a creative. He aims to capture the essence of life through his lens, presenting images that inform and please.

As Abdellatif continues to balance his professional endeavors with his passion for photography, he looks forward to sharing his work with a wider audience and inspiring others to see the beauty in everyday moments.

Maryam Wahid is a British photographer and photography consultant, currently serving as Head of Program and Outreach for Tasweer Photography Festival by Qatar Museums. Known for her expertise in visual storytelling and creative production, Wahid explores themes of identity, migration, memory, womanhood, and belonging. Her work spans photography, conceptualisation, curation, and interactive engagement, making her a versatile force in the creative industry.

A First-Class BA (Hons) Photography graduate from Birmingham City University, Wahid has received accolades from the British Journal of Photography, Photoworks, and the Magenta Foundation. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with notable shows at Midlands Arts Centre (2022), The Photographers' Gallery (2022), and Ffotogallery (2019).

She has judged competitions for Photoworks and the National Portrait Gallery’s Hold Still project, led by HRH The Princess of Wales. Wahid was also featured on the BBC’s Great British Photography Challenge.

Maria Ovsyannikova is a fine art photographer, curator and visual storyteller from Moscow, Russia. She lives and works in Doha for the past 15 years.

Inspired by Qatari culture, heritage and nature she started taking photos as a hobby, which over few years transformed into a true passion.

In early 2016 Maria quit her office job to become full time artist and photographer.

Her images have a storytelling element, reflecting local culture in artistic and dreamy way.

She is exhibiting her work on regular basis to bridge different cultures, create a dialogue and to highlight and spread the beauty of the world.

In June of 2024 she founded “Editions” a gallery art space dedicated to photography and fine art printing, allowing photographers to showcase and sell their work as prints.

As the founder of Editions Art Space, she explores the intersection of fine art printing, curation, and exhibition design, creating spaces where photography and visual narratives come to life. With a passion for print production, she brings artistic works into tangible form, ensuring they are preserved and appreciated beyond the digital realm.

Arshee Ansari is a cultural practitioner and programs coordinator based in Doha, Qatar. She currently works with Liwan Design Studios and Labs in Qatar, where she curates and manages programs at the intersection of contemporary design practice and community-building.

Her curatorial and programming approach focuses on shared memories and culture, with sensitivity to divergences in lived experiences along social and economic fault lines. Through her work, she aims to produce and run accessible, collaborative, sustainable, and locally resonant initiatives.

Arshee is also an avid amateur photographer and haiku scribbler. She holds a BA in Sociology from Mumbai University, Sophia College.

Photographer, director and screenwriter Daoud Aoulad-Syad was born in Marrakech in 1953. After earning a PhD in Physical Sciences from the University of Nancy in 1981, he began working in the film industry after taking part in a film workshop at FEMIS in 1989.

In 1991, he directed his first short film, Mémoire Ocre. This was followed by Entre l'absence et l'oubli in 1993, and Al Oued in 1995.

He made his first feature film, Adieu Forain, in 1998, followed by Le Cheval de Vent (2001), Tarfaya (2003), En attendant Pasolini (2007), La Mosquée (2010), Les Voix du Désert (2017) and Le Lac Bleu (2025).

His photographic work has been the subject of various exhibitions, including Photomed, Sanary-sur-Mer (2013); Daba Maroc-Bruxelles, Belgium (2012); Galerie municipale du Château d'eau, Toulouse (1999); Mois de la photo de Bienne, Switzerland (1998); Museum Voor Volkenkunde, Rotterdam, Netherlands ( 1996); Musée d'Aquitaine, ARPA, Bordeaux, (1991) and at the Institut du monde arabe, Paris (1990).

He has also published four books of photographs: Marocains (1989), Boujaâd, Espace et mémoire (1999) and Territoires de l'instant (2000), Daoud Aoulad-Syad, MEP (2015).

The midday break offers attendees a chance to reflect, recharge, and connect ahead of the keynote by renowned photographer Daoud Aoulad Syad. During this time, participants can engage in prayer, enjoy lunch, network with peers, and prepare for the inspiring session on the power of image-making and cultural storytelling.

Lina Geoushy is an Egyptian visual artist and photographer, working across social documentary and portrait photography. She aims to tell stories that deconstruct and question the public's perception of the prevailing power of patriarchy. Her practice is research-led, and her projects are both self-initiated and commissioned. Her work largely explores social justice by focusing on gender socio-politics and women empowerment issues. Lina completed her MA in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography at the London College of Communication and graduated with distinction. She has been a recipient of numerous awards including the British Journal of Photography Female in Focus 2022. Lina was selected as one of the Foam Talents 2022, and she was awarded the Documentary Photographer of The Year 2019 by The Royal Photographic Society. Her work has been exhibited internationally, most notably at The Louis Roederer Discovery Award in Arles in 2023.

Ali Zaraay (1994) Documentary Photographer in Cairo. He studied in Hochschule Hannover's International Program of Documentary and Photojournalism, Ali did his residency in Cite Des Arts, Paris 2023. He has worked as a press photographer 2012-2016 in a variety of Egyptian newspapers. Since 2015, he has been working on his long-term documentary project “Crawling on Dust” with the Nomadic Bedouins of Egypt, which recently received a grant from the Culture Resource and AFAC's ADPP,2024. Ali currently is interested in interactive installations and public exhibitions, and has been engaged in curation,creative production and book-making.
He recently founded “Safena 7” collective that offers a space for critical and multidisciplinary collective discussions around photography and visual arts in Egypt. Ali’s current artworks are concerned with the change in the city, the demolition, construction and displacement. He believes in the importance of contemporary multimedia tools; collage, installations, video, sound and web-documentaries to complement photography.

Hicham Gardaf (b. 1989) is a Moroccan visual artist born in Tangier and lives and works in London. Gardaf works across photography and film, using them as vehicles to engage people in critical conversations with their immediate environment. A large part of Gardaf’s practice delves into transformations of contemporary landscape in relation to time, space, and politics of place. Recent screenings and exhibitions include the 74th Berlinale in Berlin, Open City Documentary Festival in London, Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, Frac MÉCA in Bordeaux, Centre Pompidou in Paris, MACAAL in Marrakech, Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, and MAST Foundation in Bologna.

Rachelle Tabet is the Deputy Director of Collections at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar. She is responsible for the organization, management, and preservation of the museum's collections. Originally from Lebanon, Rachelle joined the Arab Image Foundation in 2015 as Senior Archivist.

She completed her M.A. in Preventive Conservation with distinction at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, via distance learning in 2019. In 2021, Rachelle was awarded the Andrew W. Mellon Conservation Fellowship in the Department of Photograph Conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Her 12-month fellowship research focused on creating alternative housings for photographs using materials manufactured in Lebanon.

She has presented at several conferences worldwide, including the ICOM-CC Triennial Conference 2023, the AIC-PMG Winter Meeting 2023, and the IIC Student & Emerging Conservator Conference 2023. As of 2024, Rachelle was awarded the Collections Care Fellowship at Art Jameel, Dubai. Her research aims to investigate locally sources alternative housing solution for art collections.

Aissa Deebi (Palestine) is a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, drawing, film, printmaking, and installation to confront fractured narratives of diaspora, exile, and postcolonial memory. Rooted in the visceral tensions between identity and displacement, his work reconfigures historical erasure into spaces of poetic resistance.

Deebi’s practice has been presented internationally, including at the 55th Venice Biennale (Italy), the Palestinian Museum (Birzeit), the Queens Museum of Art (New York), Art Dubai, and the Haifa Museum of Art. His 2012 book Shatat (Raya Publishing) reimagines the Arab diaspora as a generative space for artistic and theoretical innovation.

As an educator and cultural organizer, Deebi has shaped academic programs on three continents, founding Cairo’s Visual Cultures Program and serving as Chair of Art and Design at Montclair State University (USA).

He lives and works between Doha and Geneva, where he is Director of the Painting + Printmaking Department and Associate Professor of Art at VCUarts Qatar.

Jack Thomas Taylor (b. 1991, United Kingdom) joined the Media Majlis Museum in 2017 as one of the founding curators and has worked extensively across multiple areas of the organization since its inception. Since 2009, he has held various positions in the arts, culture, and creative domains in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, and Qatar across exhibitions, branding, visual arts, programming, and publishing. Taylor has consulted a variety of organizations on cultural and creative strategy and contributed to notable projects including the countrywide experience for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. As an experienced curator and producer of ideas, he has worked in diverse and Agile work environments, managing exhibitions and media products from concept through to delivery. Taylor has wide-ranging experience in creative services, including with BOND Creative Agency as a studio manager, strategist, and producer (Abu Dhabi) and as an independent consultant with brand experience agency Imagination. In addition, he has held editorial positions at Alef (which he founded in 2014) and Brownbook. Taylor has also written for the likes of Canvas, Harper’s Bazaar, LS:N Global, Sotheby’s, Time Out, and Vision. In 2023, Taylor become a founding board member of the inaugural International Council of Museums (ICOM) national committee in Qatar.

Imane Djamil is a Moroccan storyteller and documentary photographer known for her photojournalistic projects that blend realism with a phantasmagoric touch. Her work often resembles docudramas, engaging viewers in deeply immersive narratives. Djamil's photography has been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Sharjah Biennale (2023), Bamako Biennale (2022), Landskrona Foto Festival in Sweden (2022), and the Middle East Institute in Washington DC (2022). Other exhibitions include Fondation CDG in Rabat (2021), Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden in Marrakech (2020), Casa Arabe in Madrid (2018), and Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris (2014).

She has contributed to major publications like the New York Times, Le Monde, Libération, and Reuters. In 2020, Djamil co-founded the KOZ collective with photographers M’hammed Kilito, Seif Kousmate, and Yasmine Hatimi. Born in 1996, she is based between Casablanca and Tarfaya, where she co-owns Cantará, a cultural and educational program.

Michael Perrone is an artist who graduated from Muhlenberg College with a degree in Russian Studies and Political Science. He went on to study art and art education at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts/Tufts, where he received a Master of Arts in Teaching (Art Education K-12). In 2004 he received an MFA in Painting from The University of Pennsylvania. Perrone has taught art in the Massachusetts public school system, at The University of Iowa in Iowa City and is currently a professor of painting at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Art in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar). He has mounted two solo exhibitions with Michael Steinberg Fine Art in Chelsea, New York City, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions internationally. Recently, Perrone has completed three public art projects in Qatar; one at Doha Festival City, one at Lusail Crescent Park, and most recently, in collaboration with colleague Marco Bruno at the Lusail QCA cricket grounds. In 2023, Perrone, with his wife – artist Mariah Dekkenga – founded an artist-collective gallery, the People’s Gallery, in Randolph, Vermont, USA.