Salwa Sajini, a senior student at Dar Al-Hekma University, bagged second place in the Jameel Photography Competition (JPC), an art and culture initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI).

Sajini’s photographs titled ‘Ink and Water,’ urges the viewer to contemplate the relationship between ink and water. “Does ink dissolve in water? Does water dissolve in ink? Or do both resist?” said Sajini.

Using her photographs of ink in water as a visual analogy she inspired the viewer to consider the reaction between both matters and also the complicated structures of relationships in humanity.

The theme of this year’s competition was entitled ‘You and I” and is intended to reveal relationships between many things including people, objects and ideas.

“The essence of the relationship between things intrigued me because it’s impossible for anything to survive without the existence of something else,” said Mohammed Bahrawi, the CEO of Arabian Wings, explaining the theme.

Jeddah Arts 21, 39 and Jeddah Art Week (JAW) are creating a buzz around art with activities in various art-venues in Jeddah for the next two months. Galleries and other venues throughout Jeddah are currently displaying pieces of some of the most talented and inspiring contemporary artists today. As a result of these art appreciation initiatives, Sajini was able to share her contribution to contemporary art and win an award.

“We are very proud of Salwa,” said Cordula Peters, director of the Visual Communication Program at DAH. “Sajini’s achievement is just one of several students successes celebrated by the department over the last couple of years.”

“The university maintains the environment and circumstances for all the student to thrive and flourish, individual and group efforts usually take them where they want to go,” said Dr. Suhair Qurashi, dean at DAH.

One of the main purposes of the Jameel Photography Competition (JPC), according to the organization’s website, is that it gives “talented photographers a way to show their work to a wider audience, but also to help them further their careers.”


Through this great initiative, the organization provides a yearly platform to all residents in the kingdom to show off their work. It also gives students access to a professional venue that will help them develop their vision and skills as working artists.