Anysa Saleh is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores the experiences of first and
second-generation Yemenis in the United States. Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Saleh's Yemeni-Muslim background informs her contemporary gaze on traditional ideas and philosophies surrounding hijab and expectations for Yemeni women.
Working in digital photography, Saleh addresses gender, religion, cultural codes, and assimilation through self-portraiture and capturing images of other women from her community. The Daughters of Yemen | بنات اليمن is an ongoing series that honors untold narratives of Yemeni women in the United States. Saleh began by centering her experience. She will push the narrative
forward by posing as a stand-in for those who have chosen to share their stories but remain unphotographed. In this process, cultural taboos surrounding photographing women remain respected. Saleh will dress in their garments and intentionally model their gestures and mannerism through posing. The mix of traditional dresses, hair wraps, silver, and costume jewelry photographed become references for future generations thinking about and challenging how assimilation removes parts of culture. These themes often open conversations about assimilation, politics surrounding women's rights, and the challenges Yemen faces today.
Saleh draws from her past photographic series, Assimilation Secrets, showing personal observations of how social acceptance, or wanting to fit in, has triggered new variations of Hijab stylings within the Yemeni community. Saleh's ongoing series, The Daughters of Yemen | بنات اليمن considers the cultural shifts that are happening. In these photographs, participants wear
traditional garments styled with western contemporary pieces. Here Saleh is calling attention to what one recalls versus what remains honest and authentic to Yemeni - American culture. The imagery of women documents a globalized context of cultural shifts affixed to the migration and, ultimately, settlement of people.
About the Artist
Anysa Saleh is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores the experiences of first and second-generation Yemenis in the United States. Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Saleh's Yemeni-Muslim background informs her contemporary gaze on outdated traditional ideas and philosophies surrounding hijab and expectations for Yemeni women. Working in digital photography, Saleh addresses gender, religion, cultural codes, and assimilation through self-portraiture and capturing images of other women from her community.Featured Work
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