BANGKOK, Nov 8 — It is not quite easy to categorise Ampannee Satoh, a young Muslim female photographer who is set to unveil her works in the Photo Phnom Penh Festival later this month.
But that is what she is — a young Muslim female photographic artist. Ampannee, a graduate of Rangsit University’s photographic art faculty, has the coveted Young Thai Artist Award 2007 from the Siam Cement Foundation to her credit.
Despite her young age, the talented artist is no newcomer in photography circles. At 26, she has displayed her works in a number of exhibitions in Bangkok, among them La Fete 2008.
The Phnom Penh event, Phnom Penh Photo Festival to be held from November 28 to Dec 6, will be the first time Ampannee, a native of Pattani, displays her works abroad, side by side with 20 European and Asian colleagues from 11 countries. Last year, it was top photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom who represented Thailand in this event.
Her exhibition, titled “Muslimah” (Muslim women), features a topic close to her — and to her heart — the identity of Muslim women. All of the photos were taken last year in the three Muslim-dominated southernmost provinces that have been plagued by violence.
Under Islamic law, Muslim women must cover their hair with hijab — or veils for the faces under stricter interpretations. That makes them different from the mainstream population in Thailand, like elsewhere in the world where Muslims are a minority.
Ampannee’s works, a set of Muslim women with hijab, are recognised for the natural and fresh approach of the young women: Beautiful and lively, simple and happy.
The artist hopes her photos help the audience understand Muslim women better.
“It’s my wish that more people understand — and accept with respect — the differences in religious beliefs,” she said.
Ampannee, now studying at the E’cole Nationale Supe’rieure de la Photographie in France, says “Muslimah” is a sequel to her 2007 award-winner “Under the Hijab”.
All the photos are in monochrome, she said. In her opinion, the black-and-white mode suits her works. “Monochrome gives ‘unrefined’ feelings to the photos.”
She normally uses colour for casual occasions.
“I may take colour photographs for future exhibitions,” she said.
The artist said she also wears a hijab, not a veil, to university and elsewhere in France in daily life and fortunately has never experienced discrimination by the locals.
“My friends accept it [the use of hijab]. They know it’s part of being Muslim.” — Bangkok Post
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