A MARKET SELLER IN THE OLD CITY OF SANAA, NOVEMBER 2020.
Nezar Mokbel: I grew up here, with the notion that Yemen was a happy place engraved in my mind. Then the war broke out. After all this time, its beauty is starting to vanish from my memories. The media participated in erasing this too – they’re only showing the most terrible war scenes. No one remembers anything except the war anymore. Is that why you decided to start taking photos?
For the first four years, I just got used to the war. I was passively watching what was happening. In February of 2019, I decided to do something about it. I started taking photos to try to capture the details of daily life in Yemen, to revive this idea of happier times.
A woman with her grandchildren. Sanaa, May 2019.
In this time of political turmoil, carrying a camera around and taking people’s photos can be very dangerous. But I don’t let this stop me. I take photos with my phone, even if it’s still risky sometimes. In Yemen, artists and photographers don’t have many opportunities to exhibit their work, but we create our own opportunities. I found that my phone’s images can still show the world that we are trying to be OK. How do you choose the subjects of your images?
Every photographer has his own vision. For me, it’s quite spontaneous – I capture moments that personally touch me, especially things you might miss with the blink of an eye.
Children on a break from work. May 2019.
They’re a mix of everything – some are happy, some tragic, some photos reflect people’s numbness towards the violence, others what the future of Yemen could look like after the war.Scroll down to see more photos:
Children taking a break from work. May 2019.
A "Zaffa" – a musical procession with drums typical of Arab weddings held in front of the groom's house. Sanaa, October 2019.
A man who spent Eid al-Adha – one of the most important celebrations in Islam, marking the end of Ramadan – sleeping rough on the streets. SANAA, AUGUST 2020.
A CHILD SELLING GARLIC. SANAA, NOVEMBER 2020.
A shop owner reopened their toy store even though their building was bombed. TAIZ GOVERNORATE, JANUARY 2021.
The air raids have left many people homeless. Sanaa, December 2019.
Friends hugging in the alleys of the Old City. SANAA, JULY 2019.
This old man was carrying a load so heavy he had to take a break at every step. Sanaa, July 2020.