Hindu Priests Photography by Joanne Saad Making Multicultural

Hindu Priests Photography by Joanne Saad Making Multicultural Australia - http: //www. multiculturalaustralia. gov. au

Joanne Saad is a photographer based in Wollongong, New South Wales. • • • “My fascination for photography developed at an early age, when I would be forever going through my parents’ old black and white photographs which were mainly of family members and events. ” “My father had taken most of the photographs and was the first person in his village in Lebanon to get a camera. It was these images he took of Lebanon before he left there that I love the most. ” “As a photographer, I am drawn to photographing people and this is because I am interested in how and why we exist, how we learn to live with one another, love one another, basically what makes the world go around. ” Joanne says an underlying concept of her work is “. . . how time and place can influence the life of an individual. People coming to a new country bring with them customs, traditions and rituals from their country of origin and then find the need to adapt these aspects of their lives to fit into a new society. ” “During this process certain elements are lost and altered particularly as they are passed from generation to generation. (My photographs) focus on what is left. ”

“Hindu Priests, ” 1994, Joanne Saad. Hindu priests walking out of the surf after immersing the elephant God Ganesh in the water.

“Mother and Child II, ” 1995, Joanne Saad. Dipka Bhatt and daughter Phalgu, wearing traditional Indian clothing, preparing for the Diwali festival

“Waiting for Ganesh, ” 1994, Joanne Saad. Young Indian women at Stanwell Park beach waiting for the elephant God Ganesh to be immersed into the water.

“Drumbuki Player, ” 1995, Joanne Saad. Alexander Glossop playing a Lebanese drum and wearing a traditional costume given to him by his grandparents.

“Bellydancer, ” 1994, Joanne Saad. A dance that was originally performed for women only in harem rooms, the bellydance originates from the Middle East and is a popular custom at weddings.

“Untitled, ” 1994, Joanne Saad. Young Turkish women learning to read Arabic so they can read the Koran.

• • These images are free for your use for educational purposes, however not for publication. For more copyright information go to www. multiculturalaustralia. gov. au