Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the masks we wear for society? Abdulsamad Saliu, known professionally as Damas visuals, uses his camera as a tool for storytelling, a way to capture the human experience and the emotions that bind us all. Born in Nigeria and now residing in Aberdeen, Scotland, Abdulsamad’s journey as a visual artist shows the power of narration through images.
His architectural background heavily influences his photography; therein, lines, symmetry, light, shadow, emotion, and a keen eye for detail come together to create captivating visuals. He shares, “I found solace and inspiration in the world of photography, where moments are frozen in time, preserving emotions for eternity.”
One of his latest and most profound series, “Camouflage the Beauty,” takes viewers on a journey of introspection and self-discovery. Through a collection of seven beautiful images, Abdulsamad displays various themes that affect us all, including future, identity, societal influence, love, technology, makeup, and mortality, inviting us to question the layers of our authentic selves hidden beneath the mask worn for society.
We explored the themes displayed through Abdulsamad’s visuals:
In Future, The image of model, Mugesh concealed by a scarf challenges viewers to reassess the authenticity of their choices and confront the influence of societal norms on our personalities.
While, In the theme of Influence, the portrayal of Uche hidden behind various hands, symbolises the influence of external pressures on individual identity, urging us to peel away layers of conformity and embrace our uniqueness.
In Love, Abdulsamad tells stories of love and happiness, reflected by the shadow cast on the model, Shola, by the window, encouraging us to transcend superficial pursuits and seek out genuine connections and self-expression.
The fourth image, explores Identity through the image of the model, Elijah, It shows the multifaceted nature of individuality, prompting viewers to contemplate the authenticity of their true selves beyond societal expectations.
Through the fifth image, the artist prompts us to scrutinise our online personas and the impact of Technology on our individuality, compelling us to question whether we are truly expressing ourselves or merely projecting a digital facade.
“Camouflage the Beauty” also tackles societal beauty standards and the masks we wear through makeup in the sixth image centred around Make Up, The series uses the image of model Zara to urge us to celebrate the inherent beauty that lies beneath our external appearance.
The series concludes with a touching look at mortality. In Death, the final photograph underscores the transient nature of life, urging us to find contentment in the present moment and embrace authenticity and self-awareness over societal facades.
Abdulsamad Saliu’s ‘Camouflage The Beauty’ photo series shows the complexity of the human experience, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys and discover the uniqueness in their lives. Through his lens, we are prompted to live in our truth, celebrate diversity, and derive meaning from the beauty of life.
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Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo
