[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Rediscovering Abandoned Spaces And Faces" ids="150937,150939,150938,150940,150941"] By Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette Born in Madinah, Alofi highlights the city of love and peace in most of his works. He started showcasing the sights and sounds of Madinah when he returned from Australia where he studied Environmental Management and Sustainable Development from Bond University a few years ago. "I got a great response on social media and from then on I just went with it," Alofi told Saudi Gazette at the recent Shara Art Fair in Jeddah organized by the Saudi Art Council. He is currently the head of Monawwarah Art Initiative with Namaa and previously worked as an Environmental Coordinator and Safety Supervisor at Dar Alhijra project in Madinah. "I am licensed as a guide too. But I only do these tours for Al Mthba, my platform for researchers and academics," he added. Talking about his series of work showcased at the art fair, he said 'Shepherds of Arabia' is one of the most interesting projects he has done. "I drove out and met with pure Bedouins, outside Madinah and just took photographs of them. The stories and faces are so powerful, some of the portraits stay with you," he added. The other series of work titled 'The Last Tashahhud' is a photographic documentation of isolated and abandoned mosques scattered along the winding roads leading to Madinah. The Last Tashahhud, is an invocation said during prayer when rising from prostration. "I just got in my car and drove for 1700 km and photographed 70 mosques I found on the way." Philanthropists hoping to offer a place of prayer for travelers build mosques but more of than not, the structures continue to be neglected with no one to look after them. Through this series, Alofi seeks to create awareness on the condition and maintenance of these mosques, which are as important as their purpose. Website: www.moathalofi.com
