Olivia Arthur: Exploring Women’s Lives in Saudi Arabia
Olivia Arthur is a British photographer who, at a young age, became one of the youngest members of Magnum Photos, one of the most prestigious photography agencies in the world. Her work is known for its sensitivity, depth, and the way it engages with complex social and cultural issues. One of her most notable projects is Jeddah Diaries, a series of photographs taken in 2009 that provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of women in Saudi Arabia. The project was part of a larger investigation into the differences between women’s lives in the East and West, a topic that is often oversimplified or misunderstood.
Arthur’s ability to build trust with her subjects is evident in the raw, candid moments she captures in Jeddah Diaries. Through this series, she presents the multiple facets of women’s experiences in a country where the lives of women are heavily shaped by social, cultural, and religious norms. The images in Jeddah Diaries are not just about documenting life in Saudi Arabia but also about presenting a more nuanced, human side to a subject that is often portrayed in monolithic terms in the Western media.
What I find particularly compelling about Arthur’s approach is how she avoids sensationalizing or focusing solely on repression, which is often the narrative presented in Western media. Instead, she captures the complexity of the women’s lives in Jeddah, showing them as individuals with their own aspirations, challenges, and experiences. This is a key distinction in her work, as she does not aim to create an “us vs. them” narrative but instead allows the viewer to see these women’s lives with empathy and nuance.
The title of the project, Jeddah Diaries, plays an important role in setting the tone for the series. The term “diaries” suggests a personal, introspective exploration, which invites the viewer to consider these images as glimpses into the private lives of women, rather than grand statements about a culture. This also allows Arthur to maintain a sense of subtlety in her work, as she avoids making overt political or social statements. Instead, she allows the images to speak for themselves, creating a space for the viewer to interpret the subjects and their lives.
In terms of execution, the photographs in Jeddah Diaries offer a variety of compositions, lighting, and contexts. Some images are more intimate, showing close-up portraits of the women, while others capture them in their daily environments, often in public spaces or within the family home. The diversity within the images is what keeps the viewer engaged, as it reflects the varied experiences of the women in Saudi Arabia—some are shown in moments of contemplation, others in laughter or deep thought. This variety makes the series feel dynamic and gives it a sense of life beyond mere documentation.
The captions accompanying each photograph are concise yet informative, providing just enough context for the viewer to understand the situation without overexplaining. This is a perfect example of how context can shape the meaning of a photograph, something I explored earlier in my studies (Barrett, 2016). The context surrounding Arthur’s images—both in terms of the location and the cultural understanding—helps deepen the viewer’s interpretation and connection with the subject matter.
In many ways, Jeddah Diaries fits perfectly with the brief for the Expressing Your Vision assignment. In this series, Arthur captures the multifaceted nature of women’s lives, allowing the viewer to reflect on what they are seeing and come to their own conclusions about the subject. The variety in the images—both in the emotions conveyed and the settings depicted—makes it a rich, engaging project that keeps the viewer interested throughout.
What stands out to me most about Arthur’s work is the humanistic quality she brings to the subject. Rather than reducing the women of Saudi Arabia to their cultural or religious context, she allows them to speak for themselves, revealing the universal aspects of their experiences. This approach resonates deeply with my own photography practice, where I strive to convey the complexity of my subjects and to approach every project with empathy and care.
Although Arthur’s style may not align exactly with my own personal aesthetic, I find her work deeply inspiring. Her ability to navigate sensitive subjects with subtlety and respect is something I hope to apply in my own photographic practice. I also appreciate how she has used photography as a way to understand herself and her relationship to the subjects she photographs, which reminds me of how other photographers, like Alex Soth, view their projects as both a personal and a public exploration (Soth, 2016).
In conclusion, Jeddah Diaries is a series that stands out for its sensitivity, depth, and the way it avoids easy generalizations. It invites the viewer to look beyond stereotypes and consider the complexities of the lives of women in Saudi Arabia. By giving us a glimpse into their world, Olivia Arthur has created a powerful and thought-provoking body of work that resonates far beyond the context in which it was created.
References:
- Arthur, O. (2009). Jeddah Diaries. Magnum Photos.
- Soth, A. (2016). “Broken Manual” interview with ASX. [YouTube].
- Barrett, T. (2016). Photographs and Context. Available at: http://www.terrybarrettosu.com/pdfs/B_PhotAndCont_97.pdf.
