Blog 1 - Artist Statement

Growing up, I felt like there was a divide between my family especially when it came to my passion of dance. Religiously, dancing was not a hobby that could be accepted because it portrayed the human body far from modest. I understood where this perspective came from and respected it because it was apart of the faith my aunt's decided to follow but that wasn't me. Not being a Muslim myself, made me constantly feel like I was the outcast amongst my cousins. Even though dance was one of the things that separated my family and I, it always gave me a sense of purpose which meant too much for me to let go. That feeling still carries on til this day. Being a dancer, I'm constantly expanding my knowledge of the human body, especially that of my own. I've learned that proper technique can make what appears to be the most difficult move, simple not to mention safer. Most importantly, I've discovered how the human body can be a translation to the inaudible. There's no doubt that the human body is an art form, but how much of it is actually appreciated for it's artistic qualities as opposed to the science of biology? Through my work I hope to play upon this debate of art vs. science and portray the human body in an interpretational and literal sense causing viewers to distinguish between these two conflicting worlds.