Welcome to The Grapevine – a monthly series from Pink Jinn where we pass the mic to artists, thought leaders, influencers and pioneers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the global diaspora. They’ll be sharing their top arts, culture and lifestyle picks with all of us – from the books and podcasts shaping the way they think, to the music, food, places and brands that bring magic to their everyday.
🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇
This month, we’re excited to be joined by Yemeni photographer, writer, educator, and storyteller Thana Faroq. Thana left Sana’a, Yemen in 2016, and now lives and works in the Netherlands. As well as working as an award-winning photographer and writer, she is currently lecturing at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.
Thana’s artistic practice focuses on capturing the aftermath of pivotal events, especially in the context of migration. Her work is deeply rooted in themes of women’s resilience, adaptability, and the search for belonging. Through her lens, she provides a poignant exploration of post-disaster homes — spaces that are rich tapestries of loss, hope, memories, and the enduring spirit of those who rebuild and move forward.
Thana’s work serves as a visual autobiography, exploring topics of memory, migration, and intergenerational trauma. She intertwines text and image, using words not just as a supplementary narrative but as standalone imagery. This approach allows her to explore the profound changes that have shaped her own life and sense of belonging, both in her native Yemen and in her adopted home in the Netherlands, as well as those of her subjects.
Thana’s award-winning first photobook I Don’t Recognise Me In The Shadows is an arresting visual chronicle which traces her journey as she left Yemen, and her experiences adapting to her new home in the Netherlands. Her most recent publication, How Shall We Greet The Sun, builds on this success and was shortlisted for the Global Peace Photo Award. How Shall We Greet The Sun focuses on a group of women refugees in the Netherlands as they navigate building new lives and new identities in their new homes. Each book is both stunning in its beauty, and profound in its power to evoke intensely personal stories on the page.
We are so happy to have Thana with us on The Grapevine – read on for her personal highlights, recommendations and deep, creative insights to refresh your playlists, podcast lineups and bookshelves!
AN ARTIST, DESIGNER OR CREATOR WHO INSPIRES YOU
My favorite artists change over time depending on the projects I’m undertaking and the experiences I have. Right now, I’m thinking a lot about Sophie Calle, who has a unique ability to transform ordinary things into extraordinary works of art. I’m drawn to her fearless and bold exploration of personal vulnerability in her work, which challenges me to see the world differently and to appreciate the complexity of human connections.
Image: Sophie Calle
ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SONG
One of my favorite music albums is Roland Faunte’s Sewing Kit. I find the simplicity of the storytelling inspiring. Faunte has a distinctive approach to songwriting that focuses on minimalistic instrumentation and lyrical depth, which I love. The album captures a range of emotions and stories in a way that’s both accessible and deeply moving. I listened to it a lot while creating my new book.
THE BOOKS YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN
When it comes to my favorite books, I can’t pick just one. I keep revisiting these two time and time again: The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri and Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit.
GO-TO PODCAST
My favorite podcast is Selected Shorts, which features fiction stories brought to life through performance. This approach has been particularly inspiring in my writing, as it taught me how to infuse my writing with rhythm and presence.
FAVOURITE DISH OR RESTAURANT
My favorite dish is kushari, which is a flavorful Egyptian dish that my mom cooks to perfection. It’s a delightful mix of lentils, rice, pasta, chickpeas, crispy onions, and spicy tomato sauce, and anything else is welcome too. It’s a celebration of ingredients coming together, which reminds me of the joy when my mom makes it at home. She lived and studied in Egypt in the 70s, so every time she serves it, a new story from her good days in Cairo comes along.
A SMALL BUSINESS MAKING WAVES
My favorite small business is Yasmin’s Collection, founded by a talented Yemeni designer, Yasmin Aldemeshki. She masterfully blends traditional Yemeni jewelry with modern touches, and I am an obsessed consumer.
Image: @yasmins.collection
FAVOURITE PLACE ON EARTH
My favorite place is our majlis, or diwan, which is the living room in my mother’s house in Yemen. The traditional design, coupled with the serene ambience created by sunlight filtering through the qamaria windows, makes it a peaceful retreat. It’s special to me and always warm.
Image courtesy of Thana Faroq
WILD CARD
My wild card is a favorite portrait I made. As part of my practice, I engage deeply with my participants, revisiting them frequently to document our shared journey. This approach has been particularly resonant with migrants and stateless individuals I met during my own transition from Yemen to the Netherlands.
One of my favorite portraits is from How Shall We Greet the Sun, where Hellen has been a constant presence over the last three years. She features first in my book and now in a new project exploring the emotional landscapes of women migrants in the Netherlands. Capturing these women’s stories through portraiture is both therapeutic and investigative, offering a visual narrative that extends beyond the image. The physicality of their images, especially their gazes, becomes a powerful expression of self-awareness and reflection. Hellen, who has navigated life in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan as a stateless person before seeking asylum in the Netherlands, embodies the perpetual journey of identity and belonging.
You can discover more about Thana’s work and upcoming projects through her Instagram and you can order How Shall We Greet The Sunhere!
