What’s the Tea, Sis?

  is more than just a visual project—it’s a conversation, a ritual, and a moment of honesty between myself and Khaddouj. Rooted in our shared experiences as Middle Eastern and North African women, this work explores the complexities of identity, sensuality, and liberation. Growing up in strict Islamic households, we’ve had to navigate the silent negotiations between tradition and self-expression, the weight of expectation, and the quiet defiance that comes with reclaiming our narratives.

 Tea has always been at the center of these conversations. In our culture, teatime is more than just a break; it’s a space where people speak freely, where unspoken truths finally surface. That intimacy shaped the way we approached this project—through storytelling, trust, and collaboration.

 Using Khaddouj’s handmade masks and my photography, we play with the tension between concealment and revelation. The masks distort identity while amplifying presence, allowing our subjects to reclaim control over how they are seen. Through light, movement, and framing, we explore femininity in its most raw and powerful form, asking: What does it mean to be free?

 But beyond the visuals, this project is about creating a space for voices that are often silenced. It’s about listening, challenging, and redefining what liberation looks like on our own terms. This is our way of speaking. Of being seen. Of asking, What’s the tea, sis? and finally answering without fear.