Conflicting images: Culture and identity in times of conflict

Chewing away furiously at a green wad the size of a golfball is a daily male ritual on the grimy pavements in Yemen as well as in smart cafes equipped with comfortable cushions and water-pipes.

But while the Arab country's long-held fondness for chewing khat (an amphetamine-like stimulant) is now beginning to draw much larger numbers of women, it is considered culturally taboo with many of them keeping their social habit a secret.

So when up and coming Yemeni photographer, Eman Al Awami, found herself able to sit amongst a group of habitual female users, all openly flouting social convention, to capture and explore accepted behaviours, it led Thomson Foundation's photojournalism trainer, Glenn Edwards, to remark that this has opened our eyes to a subject not often seen .

This has opened our eyes to a subject not often seen.

Glenn Edwards, Thomson Foundation photojournalism trainer The image, along with many others, is being exhibited at the Looking for Truth photography exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, part of a bigger, more ambitious project in which heritage and the diversity and complexity of identity in conflict and post-conflict contexts is captured and recorded by emerging photographers from Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Palestine.

Sufi whirling dervish during a sama ritual in Beirut, captured by Rola Jawed of Lebanon

Looking for Truth concludes a three-month photojournalism and documentary photography training programme, provided by the Thomson Foundation, colleagues from photography centre, Dar Al Mussawir and facilitated by the British Council in Beirut, which aims to help photographers develop professional confidence, investigate the language and techniques of photography and reflect on the ethical challenges of working in conflict-affected places.

Hamam Al Zaher, one of the oldest baths in Damascus old city, by Hassan Bilal of Syria

From street photography to portraiture, vernacular images to documentary reportage, there is much in this exhibition to admire. Many of the 15 photographers seek to provide an authentic representation of the communities with whom they have spent months, years or even decades with, working with them to better reflect the realities of the region through the camera lens.

Alkoufia dance group rehearsing an energetic line dance on the Lebanon/Palestine border, by Ibrahim Hani Abdalrazik

From traditional dance and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, to women in Yemen using khat, the photographers have given us a glimpse of life away from the front line. They should all be congratulated, says Glenn.

Palestinian embroidery in Ain Al Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, captured by Ahmad Zeer

The exhibition runs between 12th and 13th July at Dar El Nimer for Arts and Culture in Beirut, Lebanon, and at Dar Al Mussawir from 16th to 27th July, 2018.

Sara Loane Communications Manager

About: Sara is responsible for the creation and delivery of engaging and effective messages, campaigns, publications and print and digital design concepts that support and promote the foundation.

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