Who would believe that within a man who spent years in prison for a harsh crime, something gentle could reside?
I never thought so, until I met one of them by chance near the sea. He asked to be photographed, and as I listened, I discovered a human searching for someone to hear his faint voice.
We are accustomed to placing men released from prison into predefined molds: violence, danger, hardness. Yet, inscribed on their skin are stories of love, loyalty, tenderness, strength, motherhood, and bravery. In a place where this practice is criminalized, their bodies transform into an open, free space for expression.
My project traces these men after their release, some through brief encounters, others through long-term relationships built on trust. I photograph bodies that reveal the paradox between violence and softness, between social stigma and their profound desire to confess. My work does not merely aim to expose their images; it strives to reframe them as complex human beings, challenging the stereotypes associated with masculinity, incarceration, and repentance. It also sheds light on the contemporary practice of hand-poked tattooing (al-Daq).
My ambition is for these images to open up a space for contemplation: What remains of our humanity when tested in the harshest environments?
My photographic practice focuses on what lies behind the visual stereotypes, particularly when depicting masculinity. Through street photography and portraiture, I compose images from both fleeting encounters and long-term relationships with men whose lives hold hidden stories.
In my current project, I follow formerly incarcerated men who have tattooed their bodies with symbols of love, loyalty, tenderness, and strength. Their skin transforms into an open notebook, revealing the essential tension between violence and humanity.
I believe that photography can facilitate a space for contemplation, challenging our assumptions and encouraging us to see others anew.
