About Me
Alia Youssef is a Vancouver-based portrait and documentary photographer interested in complicating representations of marginalized groups and national narratives, as well as highlighting underrepresented stories and histories. Her personal projects have been exhibited in solo and group shows at prominent galleries and festivals across Canada such as Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, The Image Centre Student Gallery, The Parliament of Canada, Presentation House Gallery, and Nuit Blanche Toronto. Her commercial projects with global brands have been displayed internationally, including in New York’s Times Square and London’s Piccadilly Circus. Her work has been published in numerous online and print publications including The Globe and Mail, Maclean's, The Narwhal, and Elle Magazine. Alia has done many public artist talks, most notably for Apple Pacific Centre, We Day Toronto, and Instagram. She completed the Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media program at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly named Ryerson University) and was awarded the Ryerson University Gold Medal.
Select Editorial, NGO and Commercial Clients: The Globe and Mail, Maclean's Magazine, The Narwhal, Quill & Quire Magazine, Canadian Business, Ryerson University Magazine, University of Toronto Magazine, West End Phoenix, YWCA Canada, Plan Canada, Dove, Getty Images, and The Noun Project.
Select Press & Features:
- Globe and Mail, "A family album for Muslims in Canada: Photographer’s project puts focus on women’s diversity, strength and hope"
- Elle Canada Magazine, "Canadian Photographer Alia Youssef Challenges Stereotypes of Muslim Women with 'Generations'"
- The Chronicle Herald, "Generations project celebrates diversity of Muslim women in Canada"
- Ryerson University Magazine, "Ryerson grad student celebrates community and diversity"
- Elle Magazine, “Alia Youssef's 'The Sisters Project' Gives Muslim Women Space to Define Themselves”.
- Refinery 29, “29 Powerhouses: The Canadian Women Killing It In 2018”
- Sony Alpha Universe Blog, “How A Photographer Is Using Her Images To Combat Stereotypes”
- CBC The National, "Photographer's lens shatters stereotypes around Muslim women”
- CBC Arts, “Alia Youssef's The Sisters Project wants to change the way Muslim women are represented”
- VICE News, “The Photos Challenging What a Muslim Woman Should Look Like”
- Applied Arts Magazine,”Q&A: ALIA YOUSSEF”
- Brit + Co, “‘The Sisters Project’ Shows a Nuanced View of Muslim Women’s Lives”
- Globe and Mail, “We're all different. (This applies to Muslim women, too.)”
For a longer list of press/features, as well as exhibitions, awards, and achievements, read my CV here.