While visiting Rome in 2016, I had the opportunity to photograph acclaimed Palestinian artist and film maker Emily Jacir during an intimate and memorable portrait session. Known for her poignant and politically charged works, Jacir’s practice explores themes of displacement, resistance, memory, and the Palestinian experience, often weaving personal narratives with broader socio-political commentary.
One of Emily’s works is currently being exhibited as part of HOME 25: Invisible Cities, a roving exhibition presented across multiple venues throughout central Dandenong in Victoria. The show explores how the idea of “home” shapes our sense of identity, belonging, and dislocation—a theme that resonates deeply with Jacir’s body of work. It’s a pleasure to see a portrait from our photo session in Rome also being used by Greater Dandenong for their exhibition.
Jacir has exhibited internationally, with major works shown at the Venice Biennale (where she won a Golden Lion in 2007), the Whitney Museum, and MoMA in New York. Her work crosses media—film, photography, installation, and performance—always rooted in a strong conceptual framework and a commitment to storytelling.
She is also the Co-founder and Founding Director of Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research in Bethlehem, Palestine—a vibrant and independent cultural centre housed in her family home. The space fosters exchange, experimentation, and critical dialogue among artists, researchers, and the local community.
Working with Emily was an absolute pleasure. We began the shoot in the intimate interior of her Roman lodgings, where soft natural light filtered through the windows and created a quiet, thoughtful mood. From there, we moved to the rooftop terrace, where I captured Emily framed by the romantic skyline of Rome—its domes and terracotta roofs stretching into the distance. We finished in the cobbled streets of Trastevere, one of Rome’s most lively quarters. Emily led me to a narrow laneway she particularly loved, and it became one of the most memorable backdrops of our photo session. It was such a delight to collaborate with Emily in the creation of this imagery—she brought warmth, depth, and grace to every frame.
