Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Keywords

Saudi Arabia, athletes, female athletes, Olympics, identity, public, private, art, photography

Department

Art and Art History

Major

Art

Abstract

In the summer of 2012, I made history as one of the first female athletes to compete for Saudi Arabia in the Olympics. This experience greatly impacted my life, leading me to pursue a body of creative work exploring the nuanced public and private perceptions of my newfound role as a “trailblazer” for women in Saudi Arabia. Based heavily upon research gleaned from the sociopolitical implications of my experience, my project deals with first-hand reflections and meditations surrounding my participation in the Olympics, as well as subsequent time spent in Saudi Arabia this past summer. I employ the use of photo documentation, various methods of portraiture, and installation to visually express my story. By utilizing a variety of mediums, I am able to explore the conversation between public and private identity. The ongoing process of visual documentation has enabled me to discover, first-hand, the deeply personal side of such a high profile, public event. I have come to realize that this struggle with identity is not uncommon; mine just came about in a very public manner. This tension between public and private is not meant to silence, but to empower and inspire a generation.

Faculty Mentor

Gretchen Batcheller

Funding Source or Research Program

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Presentation Session

Session C

Location

Plaza Classroom 188

Start Date

21-3-2014 5:00 PM

Share

COinS
 
Mar 21st, 5:00 PM

Person/Persona

Plaza Classroom 188

In the summer of 2012, I made history as one of the first female athletes to compete for Saudi Arabia in the Olympics. This experience greatly impacted my life, leading me to pursue a body of creative work exploring the nuanced public and private perceptions of my newfound role as a “trailblazer” for women in Saudi Arabia. Based heavily upon research gleaned from the sociopolitical implications of my experience, my project deals with first-hand reflections and meditations surrounding my participation in the Olympics, as well as subsequent time spent in Saudi Arabia this past summer. I employ the use of photo documentation, various methods of portraiture, and installation to visually express my story. By utilizing a variety of mediums, I am able to explore the conversation between public and private identity. The ongoing process of visual documentation has enabled me to discover, first-hand, the deeply personal side of such a high profile, public event. I have come to realize that this struggle with identity is not uncommon; mine just came about in a very public manner. This tension between public and private is not meant to silence, but to empower and inspire a generation.

 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.