My work aims to challenge and expand the ways that geopolitical events are presented and documented. My background as an abstract painter informs my practice, resulting in multidimensional projects that use images, found objects, interviews and video. The immersive experiences I seek to provide for my audience intends to generate a more honest understanding of “the other” while also questioning the contemporary conundrum of image saturation.
I began photographing in 2015 after relocating to Turkey where I became intent on intervening within the images that have formed the dialogue around the Middle East. I moved to Iraq in 2017 and have since been documenting the environment surrounding conflict.
In 2018 I participated in Joop Swart Masterclass and Eddie Adams and worked with National Geographic, Wall St Journal, Washington Post, and Le Monde among others. With support of the British Embassy, I had a solo exhibition, “Roads to Mosul” at the Oxo Tower to raise funds for reconstruction of Mosul.
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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS & HONORS
Joop Swart Masterclass: Joop Swart Masterclass is the World Press Photo Foundation’s flagship education program. It rewards the 12 of most talented emerging visual journalists and is designed to support and enhance diversity in visual journalism and storytelling.
PDN 30 Under 30: Nominated for the 2017 top 30 under 30 emerging photographers from around the world.
Lensculture 35 Photographers to Watch: 1 of 35 photographers chosen from around the world to watch.
Eddie Adams XXX: 1 of 100 students selected to take part in a workshop hosted by the worlds top photojournalists.
Edwing Ewing Scholarship: Award for excellence in painting and drawing.
Discovery Scholar Award Recipient 2014: Honors academics who excel in the classroom while demonstrating the
ability to create exceptional new scholarship or artistic works.
2014 Roski Outstanding BFA Graduate Award: Given to one student from the graduating class chosen by the faculty.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: An honors organization that recognizes and elevates high achievers cultivating connections, leadership and service.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Solo
Road to Mosul- Oxo Tower; London & Baghdad, 2018
Textured to Only Us- Old Bank District; Los Angeles, USA, 2015
Tomorrow It Will Rain- The Chapel Gallery; Los Angeles, USA, 2014
Gravel Roads to Rimrock- Helen Lindhurst Gallery; Los Angeles, USA, 2014
Group
I-ΣMIGRAZIONI- Palazzo Ducale, Photo Lux Festival; Napoli, Italy, 2017
Where I Lay My Head- Hillvale Gallerym Melbourne; Australia, 2017
Not Seeing Anything- Alt Gallery; Istanbul, Turkey, 2016
the ways we stand by- Protocinema 5533; Istanbul, Turkey, 2015
Pathos Riot- Night Gallery; Los Angeles, USA, 2014
Tiger- Grice Bench Gallery; Los Angeles, USA, 2013
Publications and Clients
National Geographic, HyperAllergic, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times, Lensblog, Visa Paper,
Lensculture, PDN, Open Society Foundations, The Telegraph, Newsweek, de Volkskrant, The Daily Beast, Based
Istanbul, Fokus, Aftonbladet, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, Studio Visit, Jackelope lll & lV
EXPERIENCE
British Embassy, The Road to Mosul, Ninevah Province, Iraq, 10.2017- 5.2018
-A commissioned work to document the reconstruction of Mosul, Iraq following the fall of ISIS through collaged panoramic portraits and sound installation. Exhibited in London, Baghdad, Dubai, Tehran and Abu Dubai.
Photographer, Self-Employed 7.2016- Present
-Selected Projects: Mosul Offensive, Iraq, Refugee Crisis throughout Europe and Balkans, Refugees from Bosnian and Abkhazia Wars, Turkey Coup, Flooding in Myanmar, Addiction in India.
Francios Ghebaly Gallery, Preparator Los Angeles, USA, 8.2014-5.2015
-Worked at various galleries throughout Los Angeles with instal and deinstall for exhibitions.
The Enemy Reader, Assistant and Copy Editor Los Angeles, USA, 1.2014-5.2015
-Employed by Charlie White and Star Rosencrans to edit the essays and organize the online platform for a tri-annual
online journal that invites writers, artists, thinkers, and activists to present essays and projects outside the mainstreams of
their own practices.
Sharon Lockhart Studios, Studio Manager Los Angeles, USA, 5.2013-8.2014
-Senior creative manager working with Lockhart to maintain photography studio and gallery representation. Managed
interns, led research, oversaw grant application, organized exhibitions.
Rwanda Collaborative, Co-Founder Kigali/ Los Angeles, USA, 9.2010-2012
-Fostered a creative collaboration between American and Rwandese youth to exchange art works in an effort to build a
community for forward thinking and politically conscious artists.
Green Hills Academy, Teacher Kigali, Rwanda 12.2009-6.2010
-Hired by First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame, to redevelop the art department at Green Hills Academy in Kigali.
-Re-designed curriculum and literature for IB English and Francophone students, mentored current art teachers, taught
k-12 art classes and established first college counseling program.
PUBLISHED WORK
