Ms. Saffaa

The artist I chose to research, whom I thought uses their art to critically address social, cultural, and political issues, is Ms Saffaa. Rebecca Leussing an advocacy intern at ADHRB.org writes that Ms Saffaa, originally born and raised in Saudi Arabia, currently resides in Australia. There, in addition to pursuing her studies, she uses her art to position herself and other Saudi women at the center of the dialogue on conditions and restrictions Saudi women face. One of her primary goals is to raise international awareness of the intersection of Saudi Arabia’s gender inequality and the brave Saudi women advocating for their rights despite the threat of reprisal. Advocating for human rights, organizing peaceful protests, and speaking critically of the government are considered crimes that can be punishable by death in Saudi Arabia (Leussing). Though her work has sparked a conversation about the injustices Saudi women face, it has also been the target of vandalism for reasons such as islamphobia, etc. Despite the hardships and barriers Ms. Saffaa has faced, she continues to be a voice and advocate for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, even if it means risking her own life. 

"I am My own Guardian" first created as a mural, this image is a powerful one as it displays a Saudi women in a traditional male headdress to fight agains male guardian laws in Saudi Arabia

Another inspiration Ms. Saffaa uses for her work is the misrepresentation of Saudi women as victims in international media, rather than self-determined advocates for change. Through her work, Ms. Saffaa wants her viewers to question traditional gender roles, restrictive traditions, and most importantly; women's empowerment in the Saudi society. Ms. Saffaa believes that women's rights in Saudi Arabia is not evolving as quickly as it should be because of the highly repressive male guardianship system. The women of Saudi Arabia have only recently been given the right to drive motor vehicles! Ms. Saffaa does not use her real name to brand her work, even though she resides in Australia, in fear of being thrown in prison or even put to death. 

This portrait is of Samar Badawi of the two Saudi women whose names have been circulating in the Western media for their brave attempts in challenging Saudi law. https://saffaa.wordpress.com

leussing, Rebecca. “Art as Protest: Ms Saffaa and the Male Guardianship System in Saudi Arabia.” Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain, 19 Oct. 2018, https://www.adhrb.org/2018/10/art-as-protest-ms-saffaa-and-the-male-guardianship-system-in-saudi-arabia/.

Ms Saffaa. “Bold Pursuits @ Verge Gallery until June 28th 2012.” Ms Saffaa, 12 Jan. 2016, https://saffaa.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/boldpursuits/.