(1982 – 2016)
Leila Alaoui, a French–Moroccan photographer and video artist, dedicated her career to shedding light on social injustices and advocating for cultural identity, diversity, migration, and displacement. Born in Paris to a Moroccan father and French mother, Alaoui spent her formative years in Marrakesh, Morocco. The plight of migrants undertaking perilous journeys left a lasting impact on her, inspiring her commitment to addressing societal challenges through her art.
At the age of 18, Alaoui moved to New York City to study photography at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, an experience that deepened her exploration of questions related to belonging and identity construction. She returned to Morocco in 2008 after attending Hofstra University from 2000 to 2003.
Believing in the power of photography and art as tools for social activism, Alaoui focused her work on capturing the social and national realities of cultural identity, diversity, and displacement. Employing various mediums, including image creation, reports, and studio video installations, she often set up portable studios in public spaces, inviting passers-by to be subjects in her work.
Inspired by Robert Frank’s post-war portrayal of Americans, Alaoui emphasized her subjects in a manner that minimized background distractions. Art critics referred to her work as “post-Oriental,” aligning it with Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism. Her photographs were featured in notable publications such as The New York Times and Vogue.
Alaoui’s dedication to social causes led to impactful projects, including Natreen (“We Wait”), a series of portraits of refugees in Lebanon commissioned by the Danish Refugee Council in 2013. She also created the video installation “Crossings” in 2013, depicting the journeys of Moroccans traveling to Europe. In 2015, she completed “Everyday Heroes of Syria,” a photographic assignment in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, focusing on Syrians in refugee settlements, commissioned by the Danish Refugee Council, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, and ActionAid.
Tragically, Alaoui’s life was cut short when she succumbed to injuries sustained in a terrorist attack in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Despite her untimely death, Leila Alaoui’s legacy lives on through her powerful and thought-provoking contributions to the world of art and social activism.
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Source: Wikipedia
Artist photo & artworks: Artist’s Instagram