RUYA - an exhibition by Sareh Abasi, Syeda Sadaf Anwar, Najat El Bouhali Digoug and Morwenna Kearsley

Ruya showcases a new collection of photographs made over the last year, created during an extended series of workshops, facilitated by Morwenna Kearsley, the photographer behind FONDS. The title is primarily a female name of Arabic origin that means vision, sight or dream.

Comprising primarily of portraiture, self-portraiture and still life, the images reflect on cultural heritage, representation and memories of home. They also document the process of discovering a photographic voice: through workshopping, experimentation, and play. Taking inspiration from photographers such as Shirin Nashat, Zanele Muholi and Vivian Maier; visiting museums and galleries and undertaking workshops in the studio and the darkroom, the group used their cameras to look at themselves and each other, as their lives progressed and changed. 

The group originally met in 2021 through funded photography workshops Morwenna was offering, hosted by local social enterprises in Govanhill, such as Milk, Bees Knees and Small Plate, as part of her Culture Collective residency with Street Level Photoworks. Beginning with photowalks in the local area and workshops in studio portraiture, still life and collage, the group moved on to a new project in 2023, from which Ruya has emerged, with the work produced from workshops in the facilities at Street Level Photoworks. Over the time that the group have known each other, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to her son, Liam, who is an honorary member. As is Lydia Gitamvu, who contributed to the project in the first year and to previous exhibitions of work, entitled My Mother, My Country at Trongate 103 and Milk Café in 2022.