Between Two Worlds

Joud Kalkattawi

joudkalkattawi@gmail.com

Growing up with Saudi roots while living abroad has profoundly shaped my perspective. I navigate between two cultures, existing in two worlds, embracing the traditions and values of my heritage while absorbing the influences of a Western environment, shaping a unique yet complex identity.

Through my photography, I capture the emotions, contrasts, and connections that define this duality. Each image reflects my experience of cultural hybridity, transforming the in-between into a visual narrative. Rather than seeing these identities as opposing forces, I explore them as a fusion of belonging, growth, and self-discovery.

To emphasise this theme, I incorporated the Arabic word هوية (identity) into my work. The shallow effect I applied represents the ambiguity of my experience, the feeling of not fully belonging to a single culture, but instead existing within a blended, ever-evolving space. My work invites viewers to feel this journey and see identity as fluid, layered, and deeply personal.