Woman Crush Wednesday: Maha Alasaker
Words & Images by Maha Alasaker
Interview by Athena Abdien
What inspires you as an artist, photographer and art director?
My daily life as a woman, going through this world at an early age, I saw the difference between me and my brothers, how the world perceives them and how my world is always limited to protect me from the danger in the world. I hated this, as I believe that I am a smart woman.
How did the process of creating images for A Trap Called The Body come to be?
Throughout their lives, women are subjected to a process of physical and psychological conditioning. Socializing them for the role prepared for them. This role is serving as a biological function necessary for the reproduction of the tribe through marriage.
One female identifier is her sexual function. From this function she derives pieces of her social character and behavior. Even manifesting in her spontaneous body movements. It is noticeable, the intense awareness of women to their bodies, in every move or bend, they feel it as a proxy.
In this work, I am expressing how I feel with my own body. Always trapped, never free.
What drove you to pursue image-making?
Some people can write, others make visuals, I am the latter.
If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?
How to translate your idea into a photography project?
What was the last book you read that resonated with you?
These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany.
Describe your creative process in one word.
Intuitive.
What is the most played song in your music library?
Bahr (feat. Erik Tuffaz), by Mashrou’ Leila.
What is your favorite podcast to listen to?
Hidden Brain.