Artist and photographer Mahtab Hussain is currently trying to fund a campaign which will allow him to travel across parts of America to finish his ongoing ‘collective self-portrait’ project spanning over a 5-year period documenting Muslim America.
Hussain has been gathering a collection of portraits, interviews and videos of Muslims in America since 2021. His work has taken him to six cities that focus on Muslim diversity. The Glasgow born photographer is asking for support for his campaign, if successful, Hussain will take a 90-day trip east to west and north to south across the American landscape, this will produce a substantial body of work for his project.
This ambitious and personal project began in 2021 with the 20th anniversary of 9/11; Hussain embarked on a journey to produce a vast series of Muslims in America portraits. His project has taken him to Los Angeles, Baltimore, New York, and many more.
Although Glasgow born, Hussain grew up in Birmingham which is where his interest in documenting the meaning of belonging, and the Muslim experience began. He has spent two decades creating this type of work, from the streets of Birmingham to America, to his current Muslim America project.
“With 9/11, a long shadow fell. For years, many Muslims felt they needed to be invisible to survive. But two decades on, a new generation is not hiding, wanting to be seen and understood, and who are shaping their styles and identities in distinctly American ways. This project is about how that presence feels. It is about belonging. It is about being woven into the fabric of the country rather than positioned as a problem within it. It is about spirituality in our daily lives,’ Hussain said.
From a chef’s dream to start a food business by introducing a halal barbecue menu instead of the more traditional American barbecue, to a female Muslim police officer which is extremely rare, Hussain expertly captures powerful and authentic portraits of his sitters. The images are taken in landscape format which allows breathing space for the person or people in the frame to be accompanied by a background that best represents them and their job in some capacity.
“Through my work, I strive to reflect the richness and resilience of Muslim communities, celebrating their individuality while challenging stereotypes. Each portrait and installation is a story, an invitation to connect, and a reminder of the beauty in our shared humanity,” Hussain said.
Hussain’s planned 90-day road trip will be from mid-June to mid-September. Once completed, his first version of his work will be a digital projection come the end of the year. You can find out more and add funds to the goal by visiting his Kickstarter page.
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